Cherubism (CBM) and central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the jaw and giant cell tumor (GCT) of the long bone are clinically different diseases. Histologically, they are all multinucleated giant cell (MGC)-containing lesions. This study aims to evaluate the expression of c-Src and cytologic features in CBM, CGCG and GCT and to clarify whether there is a common mechanism underlying the formation of multi-nucleated giant cells (MGCs) in these lesions. Specimens and paraffin blocks were collected from patients with CBM (12 cases), CGCG (24 cases) and GCT (37 cases). Histomorpho-metric differences in MGCs were compared among the three types of lesions. The expression of c-Src by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization and the expression of TRAP by enzyme histochemical staining were examined. Expression of c-Src mRNA and protein, as well as TRAP staining, was detected in both MGCs and a fraction of mononuclear cells in all investigated lesions. There are no quantitative differences for cytologic features and c-Src expression among the lesions. The results suggested that CBM, CGCG and GCT have overlapping cytological features at the histological level, and c-Src may be involved in the formation of MGCs in the three different diseases.

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