Keratocystic odontogenic tumor: a retrospective analysis of genetic, immunohistochemical and therapeutic features. Proposal of a multicenter clinical survey tool.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: In 2005, the World Health Organization reclassified the parakeratinizing odontogenic keratocyst as a neoplasm. This article reviews the research leading to this reclassification, and validates a new survey tool that can be easily used to pool surgical and recurrence data from multiple offices. STUDY DESIGN: All odontogenic lesions accessioned in the Iowa Surgical Oral Pathology Laboratory between 1949 and 2010 were identified from the database. A survey tool to assess treatment and follow-up was created. A total of 46 surgeons agreed to participate. RESULTS: A total of 70 keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KOTs) had documented recurrences at follow-up intervals ranging from 6 months to 5 years. Primary tumors that recurred ranged in size as measured by greatest radiographic diameter from 0.7 to 6 cm. CONCLUSIONS: This survey tool is recommended as standard allowing treatment of cases by multiple practitioners to be compared retrospectively or prospectively.