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Glandular Odontogenic Cyst — MFDS Part 1 MCQ

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HardOral PathologyGlandular Odontogenic CystMFDS Part 1

A 52-year-old patient has a 4 cm multilocular radiolucency crossing the anterior mandibular midline, with cortical expansion. Histopathological examination confirms a glandular odontogenic cyst. Which statement best explains the clinical significance of this diagnosis when planning treatment and follow-up?

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Correct answer: C — Recurrence is clinically relevant, particularly after conservative treatment, and the lesion may behave locally aggressively

Explanation lettering: E = shown as A · C = shown as B · A = shown as C · B = shown as E

A is correct. A glandular odontogenic cyst is uncommon but clinically important because it can be locally aggressive and has a meaningful risk of recurrence, particularly following conservative treatment. The large, multilocular, expansile lesion in this case therefore warrants specialist management and prolonged surveillance; recent literature recommends at least five years of follow-up. Individual histological findings such as mucous cells or microcysts do not reliably predict recurrence, so B is incorrect. Glandular odontogenic cyst may resemble central mucoepidermoid carcinoma histologically, but multilocularity does not establish carcinoma or exclude a cyst. Enucleation does not eliminate recurrence risk, and recurrence may occur several years later, excluding D. An unerupted tooth association is neither obligatory nor the principal determinant of recurrence, excluding E.

Reference: Peraza Labrador A, et al. Recurrence of Glandular Odontogenic Cysts: A Systematic Review. Head and Neck Pathology. 2024;18(1):31. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38637356/