Angiogenesis: A Critical Role in Locally Aggressive Behavior of Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumor

Introduction: Odontogenic cysts are osteodestructive lesions affecting the jaws. Odontogenic keratocyst is an odontogenic cyst with highly aggressive features. Multicystic ameloblastoma is a benign epithelial odontogenic tumor with more aggressive behavior than dentigerous cyst and odontogenic keratocyst. Invasion and metastasis of tumors require increased blood vessels during tumorigenesis. This study aimed to perform an immunohistochemical evaluation of blood vessels density by vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 16 odontogenic keratocysts, 18 dentigerous cysts, and 10 ameloblastomas. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor. Kruskal-Wallis test and Chi-square test were used for data analysis. Results: The highest percentage of cases with score 1 was observed in dentigerous cyst and lowest percentage was seen in ameloblastoma. The highest percentage of score 2 belonged to odontogenic keratocysts. No statistically significant differences were observed between dentigerous cysts, odontogenic keratocysts, and ameloblastomas regarding the vascular endothelial growth factor expression (P=0.96). Conclusion: According to the result of this study, no significant differences were seen between vascular endothelial growth factor expression in ameloblastomas and odontogenic keratocysts, although vascular endothelial growth factor expression was higher in odontogenic keratocysts compared to dentigerous cysts. Perhaps the high level of vascular endothelial growth factor expression is related to odontogenic keratocyst invasive behavior.