Bone Diseases
Central Giant Cell Granuloma
aka CGCG
Benign but sometimes locally aggressive intraosseous lesion containing multinucleated giant cells.
§ figuresFigures (2)
Fig. 1High magnification micrograph of a central giant cell granuloma, abbreviated CGCG. CGCGs are lesions of the mandible or maxilla. The soft tissue counterpart is peripheral giant cell granuloma. CGCG is also known as giant
“Central giant cell granuloma - high mag” · Nephron · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Fig. 2Intermediate magnification micrograph of a central giant cell granuloma, abbreviated CGCG. CGCGs are lesions of the mandible or maxilla. The soft tissue counterpart is peripheral giant cell granuloma. CGCG is also known
“Central giant cell granuloma - intermed mag” · Nephron · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Verified open-access images only, reproduced for education under their stated licences · no AI-generated or illustrative artwork · Central Giant Cell Granuloma figures pending faculty review.
§ overviewOverview
Benign but sometimes locally aggressive intraosseous lesion containing multinucleated giant cells.
§ epidemiologyEpidemiology
Female > male; < 30 years; anterior mandible crossing midline is classical.
§ clinicalClinical Features
- 01Painless expansile swelling
- 02May displace teeth or resorb roots
§ differentialDifferential Diagnosis
- 01Ameloblastoma
- 02OKC
- 03Aneurysmal bone cyst
- 04Brown tumour of hyperparathyroidism (must exclude by serum PTH & calcium)
§ histopathHistopathology
- 01Multinucleated giant cells in vascular fibrous stroma
- 02Haemosiderin deposits
§ radiographicRadiographic Features
- 01Uni- or multilocular radiolucency
- 02Wispy internal septa; may cross midline
§ treatmentTreatment
- 01Curettage; intralesional corticosteroids or calcitonin for aggressive lesions
- 02Resection for recurrent aggressive lesions
§ prognosisPrognosis
Recurrence 15–20% after curettage.
§ pearlsClinical Pearls
- 01Always check serum calcium & PTH to rule out brown tumour.
§ evidenceReferences & Evidence
Current Classification
WHO Classification of Head and Neck Tumours
5th Edition — Volume 9
WHO Classification of Tumours Editorial Board · 2022
The authoritative international classification of head and neck, odontogenic and salivary gland tumours. Current terminology on this site follows this edition.
Evidence summary
Highest level of evidence linked to this page: WHO / Official Classification.
- L1 · Classification — 3
- L3 · Systematic review — 1
- L6 · Textbook — 3
2 linked sources were published from 2024 onwards. Where guidance is limited or contested, rely on the higher-level sources above rather than this summary. Educational use only — not a substitute for clinical judgement.
Content last reviewed
September 2026
Evidence last reviewed
September 2026
Next scheduled review
September 2027
Review status
EVIDENCE REVIEWED
Search latest PubMed evidence
Last literature search: 7 September 2026
Current Classification
WHO Classification of Tumours Editorial Board. IARC / World Health Organization · 2022
The authoritative international classification of head and neck, odontogenic and salivary gland tumours. Current terminology on this site follows this edition.
Vered M, Wright JM. Head and neck pathology · 2022 · 16(1):63-75
Summary of odontogenic and maxillofacial bone tumour changes in the 5th edition WHO classification.
IARC / WHO. IARC · 2022
Continuously updated online edition of the WHO head and neck tumour classification.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Shafiei S, Haghighi S, Tabrizi R. Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology · 2026
Systematic review of pharmacologic (intralesional and systemic) management of central giant cell granuloma.
Histopathology References
Barnes L. CRC Press · 2008
Detailed histopathological reference for head and neck diagnostic criteria.
Textbook References
Neville BW, Damm DD, Allen CM et al.. Elsevier · 2024
Standard reference textbook of oral and maxillofacial pathology used throughout this atlas.
Rajendran R, Sivapathasundharam B. Elsevier · 2020
Undergraduate and postgraduate oral pathology textbook widely used in BDS and FCPS curricula.
Draft — pending faculty review. Educational use only; verify against current guidelines and primary sources before clinical application.