Is Conservative Surgery the Best Approach for Peripheral Calcifying Epithelial Odontogenic Tumors?

BACKGROUND

Peripheral Calcifying Epithelial Odontogenic Tumors (CEOT) rich in clear cells are a rare entity in the oral cavity, with only 14 previous case reports in the English literature. None have discussed recommended treatment approaches for extraosseous CEOT.

OBJECTIVE

This brief descriptive review describes a treatment approach for peripheral CEOT including the clear cell variant.

STUDY DESIGN

A complete review of all well-documented extraosseous case reports with an emphasis on the treatment was performed. Additionally, the present article reports a case of a 21-year-old woman with an asymptomatic swelling in the gingiva finally diagnosed as peripheral CEOT abundant in clear cells.

RESULTS

Twenty-four cases of peripheral CEOT were described; conservative surgery was the first treatment approach in approximately 80% of cases, with only one recurrence.

DISCUSSION

Clear cell finding was not associated with more aggressive behavior.

CONCLUSION

Conservative surgery may be an advantageous approach for this group of peripheral lesions with or without clear cells, with a recurrence rate of approximately 4%.