A retrospective study of cysts and tumors of the oral cavity

Orofacial cysts and tumors are known to exhibit geographic variations in prevalence and pattern. The knowledge of the epidemiology of odontogenic cysts and tumors is limited in a developing nation like India, which may be attributed to inadequate documentation in our hospitals and health care centres. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of different types of odontogenic cysts and tumors diagnosed at a tertiary care dental college hospital in Puducherry and compare the findings with the information reported in other parts of the world. Material and Methods: A record-based study was conducted using data from the clinical and histopathological records of the last ten years (2006–2015) from the departments of oral medicine and radiology and oral pathology in a dental college and hospital, Puducherry. Results: Of the total 974 patients, 510 were males and the age ranged from 1 to 95 years. The analysis showed that malignant lesions were the most common lesion (55.8%), distributed almost equally between males (53.6%) and females (46.3%). Malignant lesions more often occurred during the 6th and 7th decade of life. Keratocystic odontogenic tumor was the most common benign odontogenic tumor (33.3%), occurring most commonly in males involving the mandible. Among odontogenic cysts, dentigerous cyst was the most common developmental odontogenic cyst. Radicular cyst was the most common inflammatory cyst and was more prevalent among males. Conclusion: Our study is the first of its kind to assess the prevalence of any cyst and tumor that occurs in the oral cavity (both odontogenic and nonodontogenic) in an Indian population. To determine the global epidemiological burden of these lesions we urge further prevalence studies to be performed in the Indian subcontinent as well as the world