Giant cell lesions of the maxilla.

A case of giant cell lesion arising from the maxilla is presented. The final clinical and pathological interpretation was of a true giant cell tumor. A review of the literature reveals giant cell lesions of the maxilla to be rare, with the dominant interpretation being giant cell reparative granuloma. On rare occasions, these lesions have been reported as true giant cell tumors. The histogenesis of these lesions in unknown. They may arise from cells of undifferentiated connective tissue, bone marrow, or from abnormal hyperplasia of osteoclasts. The modality of treatment and prognosis is dependent upon the final diagnosis.