What is the recommended surgical approach for the treatment of a CEOT lesion?

• A. 1 cm resection
• B. 2 cm resection
• C. Resection with margins of 1.0 to 1.5 cm
• D. Resection with no margins

Answer: (C)

The recommended surgical approach for treating a CEOT (Calcifying Epithelial Odontogenic Tumor) lesion is resection with margins of 1.0 to 1.5 cm. CEOTs are benign tumors of the jaw that can have a tendency to infiltrate the surrounding bone, making adequate surgical margins essential to reduce the risk of recurrence. A margin of 1.0 to 1.5 cm provides a balance between ensuring complete removal of the tumor and preserving healthy tissue, promoting better healing and functional outcomes.

Resecting the lesion with the specified margins helps ensure that any microscopic extensions of the tumor are also removed, which is critical in reducing the chance of recurrence. If the surgical margins are too narrow, as would be the case if only a 1 cm or smaller margin were used, there is a higher likelihood that residual tumor cells may remain, potentially leading to a higher rate of recurrence. In contrast, a resection with no margins could leave more tumor than desired and significantly increase the chance of local recurrence.

Therefore, the choice of resection with a margin of 1.0 to 1.5 cm is a well-established protocol that aligns with the surgical principles of ensuring complete resection of tumors while minimizing