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Background: Some odontogenic cysts (OCs) and odontogenic tumors (OTs) are infiltrative and often recur, causing bone destruction and tooth loss. In the elderly, in particular, these injuries cause significant morbidity, making rehabilitation difficult and compromising the quality of life of these individuals. Objective: To determine the prevalence and demographic characteristics of OCs, non-odontogenic cysts (NOCs), and OTs diagnosed in an elderly Brazilian population (≥60 years)., Material and Methods: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in three Brazilian pathology referral centers (1999-2019). Data regarding age, sex, ethnicity, anatomical location, symptomatology, and histopathological diagnosis were obtained from histopathological records and analyzed. Pearson's Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests were used to evaluate the association between the different groups of oral lesions and demographic findings, adopting a P-value of ≤ 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval., Results: A total of 7,476 histopathological records were evaluated, of which 389 (5.2%) cases were classified as OCs, 86 (1.15%) as NOCs, and 83 (1.11%) as OTs. The most common lesions in each group were periapical cysts (n=166; 68.9%), ameloblastomas (n=65; 77.4%), and salivary duct cysts (n=45; 52.3%). Overall, males were slightly more affected (n=279, 50.2%). Most individuals were between 60 and 69 years (n=358; 64.2%). OCs and OTs preferentially affected the mandible (n=280; 62.2%). NOCs occurred more frequently in the lips (n=19; 22.1%), followed by buccal mucosa (n=18; 20.9%). The overall concordance between clinical and histopathologic diagnoses was 47.2% (213 of 451 cases)., Conclusions: OCs were relatively common, whereas NOCs and OTs were rarer among the elderly. The low concordance between clinical and histopathological diagnosis highlights the importance of histopathological analysis to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Dentists and geriatricians must be familiar with these lesions to ensure an early diagnosis, reduce morbidity and improve the quality of life of these individuals. Key words: Odontogenic cysts, Non-odontogenic cysts, Odontogenic tumors, Oral diseases, Older people, Oral lesions., Competing Interests: No conflicts of interest were declared concerning the publication of this article., (Copyright: © 2024 Medicina Oral S.L.)

Dermoid cysts (DCs) and epidermoid cysts (ECs) are uncommon developmental cysts affecting the oral cavity. This study aims to evaluate patients with oral DCs and ECs and their demographic and clinicopathologic features. A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. A total of 105,077 biopsy records of oral and maxillofacial lesions from seven Brazilian oral pathology centers were analyzed. All cases diagnosed as oral DCs and ECs were reviewed, and clinical, demographic, and histopathological data were collected. The series comprised 32 DCs (31.4%) and 70 ECs (68.6%). Most of the DCs occurred on the floor of the mouth (n = 14; 45.2%) of women (n = 17; 53.1%) with a mean age of 34.6 ± 21.6 years. All DCs were lined partially or entirely by stratified squamous epithelium (100%). Chronic inflammatory cells, melanin pigmentation, multinucleated giant cell reaction, and cholesterol clefts were observed in the fibrous capsule . Most of the ECs affected the labial mucosa (n = 20; 31.7%) of men (n = 39; 56.5%) with a mean age of 48.0±19.8 years. Microscopically, most ECs (n = 68; 97.1%) were lined entirely by stratified squamous epithelium. Two cysts (2.9%) showed areas of respiratory metaplasia. Chronic inflammatory cells, melanin pigmentation, multinucleated giant cell reaction, and cholesterol clefts were also observed in the fibrous capsule. Conservative surgical excision was the treatment of choice in all cases. Oral DCs and ECs are uncommon and often clinically misdiagnosed lesions. Clinicians should consider DCs and ECs in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue lesions in the oral cavity, mainly located on the floor of the mouth and labial mucosa.

Few studies on the distribution of oral diseases in older people are available in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and demographic characteristics of oral and maxillofacial lesions in geriatric patients (age ≥ 60 years). A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. Biopsy records were obtained from archives of three Brazilian oral pathology centers over a 20-year period. Data on sex, age, anatomical site, skin color, and histopathological diagnosis were collected and analyzed. Pearson's chi-square test was used to evaluate differences in the frequency of the different oral and maxillofacial lesion groups. A total of 7,476 biopsy records of older patients were analyzed. Most cases were diagnosed in patients aged 60 to 69 years (n = 4,487; 60.0%). Females were more affected (n = 4,403; 58.9%) with a female-to-male ratio of 1:0.7 (p < 0.001). The tongue (n = 1,196; 16.4%), lower lip (n = 1,005; 13.8%), and buccal mucosa (n = 997; 13.7%) were the most common anatomical sites. Reactive and inflammatory lesions (n = 3,840; 51.3%) were the most prevalent non-neoplastic pathologies (p < 0.001), followed by cysts (n = 475; 6.4%). Malignant neoplasms were more frequent (n = 1,353; 18.1%) than benign neoplasms (n = 512; 6.8%). Fibrous/fibroepithelial hyperplasia (n = 2,042; 53.2%) (p < 0.001) and squamous cell carcinoma (n = 1,191; 88.03%) (p < 0.001) were the most common oral lesions in older adults. Biopsy data allow the accurate characterization of the prevalence of oral and maxillofacial lesions, supporting the development of public health policies that can enable the prevention, early diagnosis, and appropriate treatment of these lesions. Also, they bring valuable information that helps dentists and geriatricians diagnose these diseases.

Unlabelled: Some oral cancers are known to develop from dysplastic oral epithelium. In the present study, the expression of c-Jun, c-Fos, and cyclin D1 proteins in oral epithelial lesions with different degrees of dysplasia, and in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) was evaluated. Eighteen cases of mild dysplasia, 23 cases of moderate to severe dysplasia and 24 OSCCs were studied immunohistochemically. Additionally, 15 sections of oral mucosa without any evidence of dysplasia were included in the study., Results: c-Jun expression increased according to the degree of oral dysplasia, with the greatest expression found in OSCC. c-Fos expression was intense in normal mucosa, reduced in mild dysplasia and high in moderate to severe dysplasia and in OSCCs. Cyclin D1 was expressed in only a few cases of moderate to severe dysplasia and in most of the OSCCs. Statistical analysis showed a correlation between the three proteins and the degree of epithelial alteration. The present results indicate a possible role of c-Jun and c-Fos in malignant transformation of oral mucosa.