Panorama of Odontogenic Tumours and Cystic Lesions of Jaw: A Single Institutional Experience

Odontogenic tumours are relatively rare tumours presenting with varied behaviour ranging from hamartomatous lesion to malignant neoplasm. Majority of them are benign, whereas few cases are malignant which may arise de novo or in background of benign tumour. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pattern of presentation, epidemiological characteristics, histological types and management of a series of odontogenic tumours and cystic lesions of jaw. A prospective observational study was undertaken on all treated cases of odontogenic tumours and cystic lesion of jaw in the Department of Surgical Oncology of a state-affiliated Regional Cancer Centre of Tamil Nadu. Twenty-six cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the total 32 cases of odontogenic tumour and cystic lesions of jaw encountered at our institution between february 2021 and july 2023 were enrolled for study. The epidemiological data, clinical presentation and modalities used for treatment were noted and data analysis done with SPSS software. Ameloblastoma was the most common pathology accounting for 50% of total cases. Ameloblastoma was commonly present in male, with male to female ratio of 3:1 and a relatively uniform distribution through 2^nd to 7^th decade, with a mean diameter of 9.3 cm. Mandibular/maxillary resection was needed for 91.7% cases. Cervical lymph nodes were enlarged in 31% of cases of ameloblastoma but none was metastatic. Other pathologies identified were cemento-osseus fibroma (7.7%), odontogenic myxoma (7.7%) and odontogenic keratocyst (7.7%). Mandible was commonly involved site in 93% in odontogenic tumour. No case of recurrence was noted amongst 81% cases on follow-up. Ameloblastoma is the most common histology amongst all odontogenic tumours and cystic lesion of jaw. Indolent course leads to large dimensions of these tumours with treatment challenge and some forms of mandibular/maxillary resections are required for majority of cases thus incurring variable degree of morbidity. On contrary, larger the diameter of tumour required less of flap reconstruction due to redundant skin and mucosa post excision of tumour. There is low recurrence rate with margin negative resections.