Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma of the mandible: a case report demonstrating expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and vitronectin receptor.

INTRODUCTION

Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma is a rare neoplastic variant of calcifying odontogenic cyst, with aggressive growth characteristics. A painful swelling in the jaws with local paraesthesia is the most common symptom. Although it often causes irregular destruction of the adjacent bone, immunohistochemical expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and vitronectin receptor has not previously been described in this carcinoma.

CASE REPORT

This article describes a ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma affecting the mandible of a 55-year-old man. The patient was treated by segmental mandibulectomy and there was no evidence of recurrence or metastasis for 1.8 years. Cytological features including the immunohistochemical expression of TRAP and vitronectin receptor were studied.

CONCLUSION

Specimens revealed varying sized islands of anucleate cell clusters with homogenous, pale eosinophilic cytoplasm, so called ghost cells, admixed with sheets of tumour. TRAP and vitronectin receptor were detected in the ghost cells, but they were not expressed in the tumour cells. Our findings suggest that some of the cytokines produced by ghost cells may play important roles in causing extensive bone resorption in the ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma.