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Short communication

Odontogenic Keratocyst (OKC) was initially described in the mid-20^th century (1956) [1]. The world health organization (WHO) has designated it as a Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumour (KCOT) [2]. It is elucidated as a benign uni-cystic or multi-cystic, intra-osseous tumour of odontogenic ancestry with a distinctive lining of parakeratinized stratified squamous epithelium and an inherent capacity for aggressive, infiltrative behaviour. The lesion appears gradually, is locally invasive with a precipitous reoccurrence and a lack of distant metastasis or bone destruction [2]. A male preponderance and an age range of 20 to 40 years may be delineated. In concordance with the WHO classification, the lesion Odontogenic Keratocystic Tumour (OKT) appropriately depicts the nature of the neoplasm and is hypothesized to originate from the remnants of a dental lamina.

Analysis and attributes

A multi-locular or a unilocular cyst with a well delineated border is demonstrated on X-ray. The average tumour surface area is described at an estimated 14 cm² and ranges from 0 to 15 cm² on radiography. Majority of the clinical presentations and subsequent recurrences may be encountered within the specified parameters of the lesions [3]. An estimated 11% of the jaw cysts are constituted by the keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT). The lesions may predominantly be situated in the mandible, particularly the posterior body and ramus [4,5]. The cystic lesions may invariably be centred in the bone, although peripheral KCOT are generally infrequent [6-8]. OKC’s are usually asymptomatic and are generally detected on plain radiographs. Massive lesions may produce inadequate spacing of the teeth and an involuntary discharge of the cystic contents in the oral cavity. Dental root re-absorption may be rare, except in instances of the Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome (NBCCS) [3]. Concomitant infection, a traumatic aetiology and cystic exudation may elucidate pain, cyst distension, a localized tissue destruction and cystic aggregation especially with the accompanying NBCCS or Gorlin- Goltz Syndrome [9,10].

The distinction of the lesion from a gingival cyst or a malignancy includes conditions such as the lateral periodontal cyst, traumatic bone cyst, central giant cell tumour, radicular cyst, ameloblastoma and adenomatoid tumour of the jaw [3]. HISTOPATHOLOGICAL examination of the lesion (KCOT) depicts a conventional thin, uniform stratified squamous epithelial lining with prominent parakeratosis. Inflammation is absent. The cuboidal or columnar basal layer is preponderantly palisading. Cytological delineation of KCOT is feasible. The tumours commonly reoccur at an estimated 25% to 60% and the reappearance amplifies to roughly 82%, in combination with NBCCS [11-13]. Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome (NBCCS) is also constituted by the appearance of a nevoid basal cell carcinoma , bifid ribs, calcification of the falx cerebri , frontal bossing, multiple epidermoid cysts and medulloblastoma, besides the keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT) [14].The reoccurrence of keratocystic odontogenic tumour(KCOT) has been surmised as: a)A fragmentary elimination of the cyst lining, b)the propagation of a fresh tumour from the satellite cysts (or surgical remnants of odontogenic rests) and c) the evolution of a distinct tumefaction (KCOT) in a contiguous zone, which may be construed as a recurrence [15]. The variation in the reoccurrences are attributed to the variable follow up, the surgical strategies and the consolidated case figures (Figures 1-11) [16]. The tumour re-appearances are significant following 5- 7 years of therapy, thereby necessitating an extensive follow up.

Figure 1. Sub-classification of the odontogenic cysts.

Figure 2. Odotogenic Keratocyst- with compressed stratified squamous lining.

Figure 3. Stratified epithelium with parakeratinization.

Figure 4. Keratocyst with hyper-keratosis.

Figure 5. Keratocyst-Prominent stratified epithelium with orthokeratosis.

Figure 6. Keratocyst- Hyperkeratotic squamous lining.

Figure 7. Keratocyst- ortho-keratinized cells with stratified keratinocytes.

Figure 8. Keratocyst-cellular stratification with parakeratosis.

Figure 9. Keratocyst- Marked hyperkeratosis with stratification.

Figure 10. Keratocyst- parakeratotic cells-aspiration cytology.

Figure 11. Keratocyst- swollen, stratified keratinocytes.

Preferred therapeutic strategies

1) Surgical regimes for keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT) are sub-divided into Conservative or Aggressive options [17]. CONSERVATIVE methodology is adopted, based on the specifications of the cyst and may involve an enucleation with or without an accompanying curettage or marsupialisation. The anatomical landmarks (such as the teeth) are generally preserved, especially in the younger patients. A conservative approach is appropriate at all ages, particularly with the established Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome (NBCCS). AGGRESSIVE mechanics usually address the neoplasm (KCOT) and comprise of a peripheral ostectomy, chemical curettage with carnoy’s solution or an en bloc resection. En bloc excision with subsequent bone graft is aggressive and a recommended surgical option. The modality is preferred in patients of Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome (NBCCS), mammoth keratocystic odontogenic tumours (KCOT’s) and re-occurring lesions. A situation and magnitude-based outcome may occasionally be adopted (18, 19). A miniature keratocyst (≤1 cm in diameter) adjacent to the alveolar process may mandate a simple excision, whereas an enlarged keratocyst proximal to the base of the skull, with soft tissue invasion, may require a radical excision [19]. As the keratocysts are locally invasive, particularly at the skull base, the surgery may be disastrous, and a concomitant mucosal eradication may be adopted. Epithelial islands, clusters and micro-cysts may be exhibited at the mucosal junction on histology, with a potential for reappearance (Table 1) [3].

Table 1. Therapeutic options for kcot [3].

Therapeutic protocol	Estimated reoccurrence
Enucleation	30%
Enucleation +Carnoy’s	9%
Enucleation+Peripheral Ostectomy	18%
Enucleation +Carnoy’s+ Peripheral Ostectomy	8%
Enucleation+ Crytherapy	38%
Marsupialization	33%
Marsupialization+ Cystectomy	13%
Resection	0%

Tumour relapse

is minimal with the aggressive therapy, while the conventional methodology may induce innumerable reoccurrences. Histological confirmation of the lesion (OKC), a precise follow up and a various, concordant therapeutic modalities are recommended. The estimated reoccurrences amidst the dual therapeutic modes may be significant at 15%. Thus, corollaries derived may be 1) Enucleation and Carnoy’s solution with or without peripheral ostectomy diminish the tumour reappearance, instead of a solitary enucleation. 2) Cryotherapy with enucleation influences the estimated reoccurrence more than a singular enucleation. 3) Solitary marsupialisation of the tumour (KCOT) elucidates a markedly increased reoccurrence, in contrast to a marsupialisation with a subsequent enucleation 4) Enucleation plus carnoy’s solution or marsupialisation plus cystectomy are adequate for eradicating tumour reoccurrences, as is a comprehensive en bloc resection [3]. Enucleation of the tumour (KCOT) followed by application of carnoy’s solution is an efficacious therapeutic option. Alternatively, a cystectomy subsequent to marsupialisation may be appropriate for mitigating tumour invasion and reoccurrences. Enucleation with subsequent employment of carnoy’s solution may necessitate a prolonged therapy, thus patient compliance is mandatory. Individuals on this particular treatment may require an extensive irrigation of the lesion followed by a comprehensive clinical examination prior to enucleation [3].

Keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT)

THE APROPOS NEOPLASM: Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) may be considered a benign neoplasm instead of a typical cystic lesion on account of its clinical expression and may require a customized therapeutic schedule [20,21]. Categorization of keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT) as a neoplasm by the World Health Organization (WHO) is founded on distinctive aspects 1) Clinically keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT) is repetitive lesion and demonstrates local invasion. 2) Histopathology demonstrates a budding of the basal layer of the lesion with a transgression into the adjacent connective tissue (21). Mitotic figures are customary in the supra-basal layer (indicated by WHO) [3].

Tumour genetics 

The tumour suppressor gene PTCH (patched), committed to the nevoid basal cell syndrome (NBCCS) and sporadic KCOT appears on chromosome 9q22. 3-q31 [22,23]. Usually PTCH conforms a receptor composite with the oncogene SMO (smoothened) for the SHH (sonic hedgehog) ligand. PTCH adheres to the SMO and may restrict the growth signal transduction. Attachment of the SHH to the PTCH may dispense with this requirement [24-26]. A disoriented PTCH may escalate the significance of the SMO. Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) and Sporadic KCOT may elucidate a “two -hit mechanism” i) Allelic depletion at 9q22 [27,28] may allude to the presence of a neutralized tumour suppressor gene. The primary hit is a mutation in one allele, which may be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, with a negligible phenotypic expression. The subsequent duplicate hit indicates the deprivation of the supplementary allele, referred to as loss of heterozygosity (LOH). In keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT), this exemplifies the disorganized oncoproteins cyclin D1 and p53. LOH in the zone 9q22. 3-q31 has been described as an attribute of neoplasm in numerous epithelial tumours including the basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma [3].

Connotations of tumour therapy

Keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT) is an aggressive lesion. Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) may be categorized as a tumour by the world health organization (WHO), thus certifying that this condition should not be manipulated as a simple cyst. An aggressive approach may be suitable for diminishing the reoccurrences thereby reducing surgical trauma. En bloc resection of the jaw ensures a minimal reappearance rate, however the procedure is extreme in nature. Enucleation of the tumour (KCOT) with the application of carnoy’s solution or marsupialisation followed by enucleation is the most suitable therapeutic modality. Reoccurrence is frequently co-existent with the miniature tumours (KCOT’s). Nevertheless, the magnitude of the lesion may not be proportionate to the reoccurrences [29]. Enucleation and curettage are invariably followed by a tumour relapse. The overall reoccurrence rate for the entire treatment schedule is at an estimated 29% [3]. Reoccurrences usually emerge within 2 years of the surgical manipulation. A comprehensive 5 year follow up is advisable, though the outcomes may vary due to patient compliance and time elapsed since surgery.

Contemporary treatment protocols

Cyclopamine, a plant based steroidal alkaloid prevents the cellular reaction to the SHH pathway. Cyclopamine may obstruct the SHH pathway, as determined by the oncogenic mutations, thereby producing an innately technical medium for tumour pathogenesis, comprising of a profuse SHH pathway [30]. The alkaloid incorporates a wild form of PTCH which may restrict the SMO molecule with synthetic antagonists and may contain the downstream transcription aspects of the SHH pathway [31]. Intra cystic injection of an SMO protein antagonist has shown a considerable promise for prospective therapeutic application. 

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