Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising in a Squamous Odontogenic Tumor of the Maxilla: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Squamous odontogenic tumor (SOT) is an exceedingly rare, benign epithelial odontogenic tumor showing squamous differentiation. It is composed of variably sized and shaped islands of cytologically bland, mature squamous epithelium within a fibrous stroma. In this report, we present a rare transformation of a squamous odontogenic tumor (SOT) of the maxilla into a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with involvement of the pterygoid plates. To the best of our knowledge, only two cases of malignant transformation of SOT has been reported in the literature. Herein, we seek to report this extremely rare occurrence to raise awareness of oral and maxillofacial surgeons and pathologists of this unusual, but serious event and perform a literature review of squamous odontogenic tumors.