Multiple Pathology in a Single Lesion: AOT Associated with Dentigerous Cyst.

Odontogenic cysts and tumors are quite common occurrences in jaw bones, although both of them occurring together are rare. The epithelial lining of odontogenic cyst has a potential to transform into neoplastic conditions like squamous cell carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and odontogenic tumors like ameloblastoma and adenomatoid odontogenic tumor. However, the frequency of such cases being encountered is very less. Here, we report a case of adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) associated with a dentigerous cyst around the crown of an unerupted lateral incisor (follicular variant), in a 14-year-old boy. We also attempt to unravel its mechanism of cytodifferentiation and tumor progression. The origin and nature of such kind of lesions (i.e., independent development of multiple pathologies as a single lesion in a single location, single pathology giving rise to another pathology or a distinct entity/new variant) cannot be explained with certainty at this point of time. The molecular mechanism of tumor development needs to be further elucidated in order to conclude that a different entity called 'hybrid' AOT exists.