Diagnosis and treatment of giant cell tumor of bone in skeletal immature patients / 中华外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To demonstrate the common characteristics of giant cell tumor of bone in immature skeletons.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 1989 to 2009, the 8 skeletal immature patients were pathologically diagnosed with giant cell tumor (GCT) in our department, which accounted for 1.3% (8/621) of all GCT patients in an extremity. All patients were identified with an open epiphyseal plate by retrospective review of the radiograph, CT or MRI by senior consultants. Oncological and functional outcome were followed for a mean 44.1 months. There were 5 boys and 3 girls. The mean age was 13.8 years. All cases had a primary lesion. The distal femur is the most common site involved (3 cases), followed by the proximal tibia (2 cases). The proximal humerus, the distal tibia and the distal radius accounted for 1 case respectively. Oncological and functional outcome are followed for a mean 44.1 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All lesions were lytic. Six lesions involved both the epiphysis and metaphysis. Two lesions located in the metaphysis area. Six lesions were treated with extended curettage and were reconstructed with allograft and (or) bone cement. Internal fixations were used in 2 cases. Two cases were treated with segmental resection. And one was reconstructed with cement spacer and the other one with segmental allograft and internal fixation. One patient (1/6) developed a bone recurrence after extended curettage. No extremity deformity and discrepancy were found during the follow up after the curettage. No metastasis was found during the follow up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Histologically GCT occurs in skeletal immature bone has the same pathological appearance but radiologically has its unique features. These lesions share same behavior as that in adults. A low local recurrence rate and good function can be achieved after a proper surgery.</p>