[Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma of the mandible].
BACKGROUND
Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor that occurs both in the mandible and maxilla. It has a variable non-specific clinical and radiological appearance. The authors report a mandibular case.


METHODS
A 89-year-old man consulted for swelling of the left lower mandible and gums having developed over the previous 8 months. The lesion was 6cm long, ulcerative and budding, bleeding on contact. Radiological assessment revealed blurred contour osteolysis with extension to the mouth floor and sub-mandibular compartment. Histological examination of the surgical piece supported the diagnosis of ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma. The tumor recurred 2 months later and the patient died 6 months after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma is a rare lesion. The patient was very old. Clinical and radiographic signs were unspecific. Histopathology proved the diagnosis. Evolution was unpredictable due to the wide spectrum of growth patterns. Extensive radical surgery is mandatory due to the high risk of recurrence.
Slama
A
A
Service de chirurgie maxillofaciale, CHU Sahloul de Sousse, 4054 Sousse, Tunisie. slamaabdel@yahoo.fr
Boujelbène
N
N
Ben Yacoub
L
L
Trabelsi
A
A
Khochtali
H
H
Sriha
B
B
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000175:diagnosis