Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is a rare, benign but sometimes locally aggressive bone tumor that primarily affects the jawbones. First described by pathologist Henry L. Jaffe in 1953, it is characterized by the proliferation of multinucleated giant cells within a fibrous stroma. While its exact cause remains unclear, it is considered a reactive lesion rather than a true neoplasm.
A recent case report, published in the National Library of Medicine, highlights an aggressive presentation of CGCG in the maxilla (upper jaw) of a young adult, leading to extensive hemimaxillary expansion. Such lesions can cause significant facial deformity, tooth displacement, and bone destruction. They occur more frequently in children and young adults, with a predilection for females and the anterior regions of the jaw.
Diagnosis relies on clinical examination, radiographic imaging (which shows a multilocular radiolucency), and definitive histopathological analysis of a biopsy. Treatment is primarily surgical, ranging from curettage for less aggressive lesions to more extensive resection for aggressive, recurrent, or large tumors. The prognosis is generally good, though recurrence rates vary based on the lesion's aggressiveness and the completeness of surgical removal.
