Glandular odontogenic cyst

A glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a rare and usually benign odontogenic cyst developed at the odontogenic epithelium of the mandible or maxilla. Originally, the cyst was labeled as "sialo-odontogenic cyst" in 1987. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) decided to adopt the medical expression "glandular odontogenic cyst". Following the initial classification, only 60 medically documented cases were present in the population by 2003. GOC was established as its own biological growth after differentiation from other jaw cysts such as the "central mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC)", a popular type of neoplasm at the salivary glands. GOC is usually misdiagnosed with other lesions developed at the glandular and salivary gland due to the shared clinical signs. The presence of osteodentin supports the concept of an odontogenic pathway. This odontogenic cyst is commonly described to be a slow and aggressive development. The inclination of GOC to be large and multilocular is associated with a greater chance of remission. GOC is an infrequent manifestation with a 0.2% diagnosis in jaw lesion cases. Reported cases show that GOC mainly impacts the mandible and male individuals. The presentation of GOC at the maxilla has a very low rate of incidence. The GOC development is more common in adults in their fifth and sixth decades.

GOC has signs and symptoms of varying sensitivities, and dysfunction. In some cases, the GOC will present no classic abnormalities and remains undiagnosed until secondary complications arise. The proliferation of GOC requires insight into the foundations of its unique histochemistry and biology. The comparable characteristics of GOC with other jaw lesions require the close examination of its histology, morphology, and immunocytochemistry for a differential diagnosis. Treatment modes of the GOC follow a case-by-case approach due to the variable nature of the cyst. The selected treatment must be accompanied with an appropriate pre and post-operative plan.