Calcifying epithelial odontogenic cyst.

OBJECTIVE: The Calcifying Odontogenic Cyst was first described as a distinct clinicopathologic entity by Gorlin and his colleagues in 1962. Gold (1963) chose a similar, but not identical term for the lesion, namely 'keratinizing and calcifying odontogenic cyst'. The calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor (CCOT) is a new designation of calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) recommended by the 2005 classification of the World Health Organization (WHO). The calcifying odontogenic cyst is not a common lesion; the dentinogenic ghost cell tumor is even less common and should be considered rare. The lesions have in common the peculiar abnormal keratinization of odontogenic and metrical (hair) epithelial cells that is termed 'ghost cell' or 'shadow cell' keratinization. A rare, well-circumscribed, solid or cystic lesion derived from odontogenic epithelium that resembles follicular ameloblastoma but contains 'ghost cells' and spherical calcifications. The so-called calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) represents a heterogeneous group of lesions that exhibit a variety of clinicopathologic and behavioural features. Because of this diversity, there has been confusion and disagreement on the terminology and classification of these lesions. Here we present a classic case of Calcifying Odontogenic Cyst (COC) or Calcifying Cystic Odontogenic Tumor in a 37 years old male patient. which is provisionally diagnosed by means of clinical & radiographical findings and later on confirmed by histological examination.