Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma: A rare case report and review of literature

RATIONALE: Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma is a rare malignant odontogenic carcinoma characterized by the presence of ghost cells. It has a nonspecific clinical and radiographic presentation and can be locally destructive and invasive, sometimes with distant metastases. However, no effective systemic therapy is currently recommended for such patients. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient has been unable to undergo surgery or radiotherapy again. Therefore, he was referred to our department for a more aggressive, multimodal systematic treatment program. DIAGNOSES: The histopathological examination was morphologically suggestive of ghost cell odontogenic carcinomas. INTERVENTIONS: We report a case of locally invasive primary inoperable odontogenic shadow cell carcinoma in a 31-year-old Chinese man who achieved treatment with Toripalimab and chemotherapy, followed by Toripalimab maintenance therapy after 6 cycles. OUTCOMES: He achieved partial remission after treatment. The quality of life significantly improved after treatment. There were no grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events during treatment. LESSONS: This case presented that Toripalimab and chemotherapy may be a safe and effective systemic therapy for ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma.