Odontogenic tumors in Thailand: A study of 590 Thai patients

ObjectiveThis paper studies the relative frequencies and the clinicopathologic features of odontogenic tumors in Thailand, and compares these data with previously published reports from other parts of the world.Materials and methodsThe files of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand, served as source material for this study. A total of 590 cases of odontogenic tumors were identified out of 4808 biopsy specimens from a 34-year period, 1973–2006. Clinical data (sex, age, tumor site, signs and symptoms, radiographic features, clinical diagnosis) and histopathologic diagnoses were obtained from the biopsy submission forms when available and they were reviewed and analyzed.ResultsOdontogenic tumors were identified in 12.3% (590/4808). There were 586 benign tumors (99.2%) and 4 malignant tumors (0.7%). The most common was ameloblastoma, solid/multicystic type (35.0%), followed by keratocystic odontogenic tumor (24.2%) and odontoma (15.2%), respectively. Differences in the relative frequencies of odontogenic tumors were found among various ethnic groups.ConclusionsThere is geographic or racial variation in the relative frequencies of odontogenic tumors. These differences may be due to genetic (ethnic) and/or environmental (geographical) variations. Further studies based on molecular levels are needed. The clinicopathologic features of the common odontogenic tumors in Thailand generally agree with the literature.