Calcifying odontogenic cyst – A review

Abstract

Calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC), also known as “Gorlin cyst,” is a rare developmental odontogenic lesion, introduced by Gorlin in 1962. COC exists either as a cystic or a solid variant. This lesion has been known by different names and classified into various subtypes. The World Health Organization classified (2005) COC as a neoplasm and used the term calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor for benign cystic type, the dentinogenic ghost cell tumor for the benign solid type lesions which occur centrally or peripherally, and the malignant one as ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma. COC mimics other odontogenic cysts clinically as well as radiologically, and a definitive diagnosis can be made only by histological means. The present article discusses the various terminologies, classification, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry of COC.

Keywords

• calcifying odontogenic cyst
• ghost cell
• odontogenic cyst