Dentinogenic ghost cell tumor: Tumor in the garb of a cyst!

The dentinogenic ghost cell tumor (DGCT) is a relatively uncommon locally invasive neoplasm that mimics several inflammatory/reactive lesions of the gingiva or odontogenic cysts. The confirmatory diagnosis of this rare lesion can only be made with histopathological examination. Routine staining reveals features of a “mixed” tumor as ghost cells with calcification, dysplastic dentin and islands of epithelium in rosette pattern in mature connective tissue are visible. The case report describes an asymptomatic growth in the maxillary gingiva of a young patient that was incidentally diagnosed as a DGCT after biopsy. Malignant transformation of this lesion to its more aggressive counterpart, odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma has been described, and hence, regular follow-up of diagnosed cases is imperative. The purpose of the paper is to report a case that adds to the literature and this will consequently help to diagnose and understand the biological behavior of these lesions better.