Analyses of odontogenic tumours: the most recent classification proposed by the World Health Organization (2017)

BACKGROUND: The fourth edition of the ‘’WHO Classification of Head and Neck Tumours’’ was published in January 2017 and includes a classification of odontogenic tumours. This review aims to examine the changes made in this new classification in comparison with the previous classification of 2005. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An electronic search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane databases with the keywords “odontogenic tumor”, “WHO classification” and “update”. Studies published from January 2009 to April 2019 with a high level of scientific evidence were included, but studies not published in English, epidemiological studies and studies with a low level of evidence were excluded. RESULTS: The initial search found 457 articles and after eliminating duplicates, 8 studies were selected for full-text assessment. After excluding 3 epidemiological studies, 5 articles were finally included. These studies were stratified by their level of scientific evidence using SORT criteria (Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy). CONCLUSIONS: The new odontogenic tumour list has been simplified with the objective of improving its role as an international guide for diagnosis. Some changes have been possible thanks to the application of immunohistochemistry and molecular genetic techniques that allow better characterization of certain tumours. Further clinicopathological and molecular studies are needed so that this new classification can be consolidated and/or amended. Key words:Odontogenic tumour, WHO classification, update.