Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma transformed from dentinogenic ghost cell tumor of the maxilla after recurrences

Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma (GCOC) is a rare malignant odontogenic tumor with aggressive growth characteristics. We report a case of GCOC of the maxilla in a 65-year-old Japanese man who was referred to our hospital with painful swelling of the left maxilla. Computed tomography showed a bone defect in the left upper jaw and the border with the surrounding tissue was indistinct in one area. Tumor resection was performed under general anesthesia, and the histopathological diagnosis was dentinogenic ghost cell tumor (DGCT). Ten months postoperatively, the tumor recurred in the same area, and partial resection of the maxilla was performed. Twelve months after reoperation, the tumor recurred a second time. The histopathological diagnosis this time was GCOC, as a secondary malignant manifestation of the benign DGCT.