CLEAR-CELL ODONTOGENIC CARCINOMA - A CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Clear cell odontogenic tumor is a rare neoplasm of the jaws that histo logically may be confused with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. A revi ew of 17 cases revealed that these tumors are aggressive, with a tende ncy to recur locally after surgery; they also may metastasize both reg ionally and distantly. There is a marked female predilection, and most cases are discovered during the fifth to seventh decades of life. Sev enty percent occur in the mandible, appearing as poorly marginated rad iolucencies. We conclude that this tumor is malignant and should be re ferred to as clear cell odontogenic carcinoma; it requires an aggressi ve surgical approach.