Odontogenic Keratocyst in Children: A Review

Biomarkers involved in the proliferation of the odontogenic keratocyst, glandular odontogenic cyst and botryoid odontogenic cyst

INTRODUCTION

Odontogenic cysts are a heterogeneous group of lesions with varied clinical behavior.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Cyclin D1, and transcription factor SOX2 in the odontogenic epithelium evaluating the cell cycle control and cystic expansion.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study including 40 cases, 20 odontogenic keratocysts (OKC), 10 botryoid odontogenic cysts (BOC), and 10 glandular odontogenic cysts (GOC).

RESULTS

All cases of OKC, BOC, and GOC were positive for EGFR in all layers of the cyst lining. The highest expression of nuclear Cyclin D1 was observed in the suprabasal layer of OKCs and in the basal and suprabasal layers of GOC and BOC (p < 0.001). In addition, SOX2 was only expressed in the suprabasal layer of OKCs.

CONCLUSION

The high expression of EGFR in the cyst membrane suggests that EGF stimulates epithelial proliferation in BOCs, and the high expression of SOX2 in OKCs may be related to the presence of stem cells in the lesion. Cyclin D1 is related to cell cycle disruption in G1-S contributing to stimulates epithelial proliferation of OKCs and GOCs and BOCs.

Pediatric case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from a keratocystic odontogenic tumor

Keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOT) are exceptional in children and adolescents as they usually occur in the third decade. The present study reports the case of a 15 years old girl who was diagnosed with a KCOT that underwent malignant transformation. KCOT diagnostic was based on clinical, radiological, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings. A conservative treatment by enucleation was performed. Histopathological analysis of the surgical specimen concluded to a KCOT, with an infra-centimetric focus of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Owing to the well-differentiated character of the squamous cell carcinoma, a single clinical and MRI surveillance every 3 months was decided, without complementary treatment.