Targeted therapies in ameloblastomas and amelobastic carcinoma-A systematic review.

Targeted therapy has the potential to be used in the neoadjuvant setting for odontogenic tumors, reducing the morbidities associated with major surgery. In this regard, the aim of this study was to summarize the current evidence on the different forms of targeted therapy, effectiveness, and drawbacks of this course of treatment. Four databases were searched electronically without regard to publication date or language. Grey literature searches and manual searches were also undertaken. Publications with sufficient clinical data on targeted therapy for odontogenic tumors were required to meet the criteria for eligibility. The analysis of the data was descriptive. A total of 15 papers comprising 17 cases (15 ameloblastomas and 2 ameloblastic carcinomas) were included. Numerous mutations were found, with BRAF V600E being most common. Dabrafenib was the most utilized drug in targeted therapy. Except for one case, the treatment reduced the size of the lesion (16/17 cases), showing promise. Most of the adverse events recorded were mild, such as skin issues, voice changes, abnormal hair texture, dry eyes, and systemic symptoms (e.g., fatigue, joint pain, and nausea). It is possible to reach the conclusion that targeted therapy for ameloblastoma and ameloblastic carcinoma may be a useful treatment strategy, based on the findings of the included studies.

Pediatric Odontogenic Tumors.

Odontogenic tumors are rare tumors of the jaws that arise from remnants of the tooth forming apparatus. Some odontogenic tumors demonstrate strong predilection for pediatric patients including the unicystic ameloblastoma, adenomatoid odontogenic tumor, ameloblastic fibroma, ameloblastic fibro-odontoma, odontoma, and primordial odontogenic tumor. In this review, we discuss the clinical, radiographic, histopathologic, and molecular characteristics of select odontogenic tumors that demonstrate pediatric predilection and review management.

Pediatric Gnathic Bony and Mesenchymal Tumors.

Evaluation of bone pathology within the head and neck region, particularly the gnathic bonesis is complex, demonstrating unique pathologic processes. In part, this variation is due to odontogenesis and the embryological cells that may be involved, which can contribute to disease development and histologic variability. As with any boney pathosis, the key is to have clinical correlation, particularly with radiographic imaging prior to establishing a definitive diagnosis. This review will cover those entities that have a predilection for the pediatric population, and while it is not all inclusive, it should serve as a foundation for the pathologist who is evaluating bony lesions involving the craniofacial skeleton.

A rare primordial odontogenic tumor in a pediatric patient.

Primordial odontogenic tumor (POT) is a rare, benign pediatric lesion that was first included in the 2017 edition of WHO Classification of Head and Neck Tumours. At that point, only 7 cases had been described in the literature; a total of 23 cases have been reported to date. This case report adds to that total by describing a case of POT in a 12-year-old girl and reviews the characteristics of this neoplasm in order to better characterize its clinical, radiographic, and histologic features and increase dentists' awareness of POT. The presence of calcifications within the lesion was reported in 4 of 23 previous cases, and calcifications were also observed in the current case. The presence of calcifications in POT is uncommon and may make radiographic diagnosis more challenging. Treatment of POT is simple excision, and recurrence after excision is rare. Accurate diagnosis is essential, as there has been at least 1 report of overtreatment involving mandibulectomy.

Oral Manifestations of Syphilis: a Review of the Clinical and Histopathologic Characteristics of a Reemerging Entity with Report of 19 New Cases.

BACKGROUND: Syphilis is a sexually-transmitted infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum. Cases of primary and secondary syphilis are on the rise in the United States, with a 14.4% increase in new cases noted from 2017 to 2018 and an escalation of 71% between the years 2014 and 2018. Fulfilling its nickname of "the great imitator," oral manifestations of syphilis may mimic a variety of infectious, neoplastic, or immune-mediated processes, both clinically and histopathologically. This large spectrum of appearances can create a diagnostic challenge to the clinician and/or pathologist, leading to delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis. METHODS: A database of oral syphilis cases was created from archives at the University of Kentucky, University of Pittsburgh, LIJMC, Columbia University MC, and University of Tennessee. The age, sex, race, location, duration, and clinical description were recorded. Cases without positive reaction upon immunohistochemistry or serologic tests were excluded. RESULTS: We identified 19 new cases of oral syphilis (17 males, one female, and one case unknown sex) and described the clinical and histopathological features of this re-emerging and potentially fatal disease. All cases demonstrated dense lymphoplasmacytic inflammation, often with inflammatory exocytosis or ulceration at the surface, and perivascular inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Early recognition of the histopathologic and clinical manifestations of oral syphilis is imperative for prompt diagnosis, improved patient outcomes, and disease prevention.

Update on Odontogenic Tumors: Proceedings of the North American Head and Neck Pathology Society.

Odontogenic tumors are rare entities, often derived from the epithelial remnants in the gnathic bones following odontogenesis. This brief manuscript will seek to address recent developments pertaining to odontogenic tumors as well as particularly uncommon odontogenic tumors and the difficulties in their diagnosis.

Odontogenic Cysts and Neoplasms.

This article reviews a myriad of common and uncommon odontogenic cysts and tumors. The clinical presentation, gross and microscopic features, differential diagnosis, prognosis, and diagnostic pitfalls are addressed for inflammatory cysts (periapical cyst, mandibular infected buccal cyst/paradental cyst), developmental cysts (dentigerous, lateral periodontal, glandular odontogenic, orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst), benign tumors (keratocystic odontogenic tumor, ameloblastoma, adenomatoid odontogenic tumor, calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor, ameloblastic fibroma and fibroodontoma, odontoma, squamous odontogenic tumor, calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor, primordial odontogenic tumor, central odontogenic fibroma, and odontogenic myxomas), and malignant tumors (clear cell odontogenic carcinoma, ameloblastic carcinoma, ameloblastic fibrosarcoma).

Oral hairy leukoplakia in patients without HIV: presentation of 2 new cases.

OBJECTIVE: We report 2 cases of oral hairy leukoplakia (OHL) in patients without HIV and present a comprehensive review of OHL in HIV-negative individuals. STUDY DESIGN: Two cases of non-HIV-associated OHL are described. A PubMed search identified previously reported cases. The attributes of those cases were ascertained. RESULTS: OHL was confirmed in both of our cases. Both patients used inhaled steroids for pulmonary disorders, and were found to have depressed levels of immunoglobulin M. Additionally, 76 cases were identified in the literature. The condition occurred in association with various medical conditions, with the majority of patients on immunosuppressant medications (67 of 76). Systemic drugs were implicated most frequently. The condition has also been reported in healthy individuals (6 of 76). CONCLUSIONS: Although thought of as an HIV/AIDS-associated condition, OHL can develop in patients without HIV, including healthy individuals. There is a strong correlation between the use of immunosuppressants and development of OHL in these patients.