Giant-cell tumor of bone

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Giant-cell tumor of bone
Micrograph of a giant-cell tumor of bone. H&E stain.
Synonyms	Osteoclastoma
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Pain, swelling, limited range of motion
Complications	Pathologic fracture, metastasis
Onset	Typically between ages 20 and 40
Duration	Variable
Types	N/A
Causes	Unknown
Risks	Paget's disease of bone, radiation therapy
Diagnosis	X-ray, MRI, biopsy
Differential diagnosis	Aneurysmal bone cyst, chondroblastoma, osteosarcoma
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Surgery, radiation therapy, denosumab
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment
Frequency	5% of all primary bone tumors
Deaths	N/A

Giant-cell tumor of bone - very high magnification

Giant-cell tumor of bone

Giant-cell tumor of bone (GCTOB) is a relatively uncommon tumor of the bone. It is characterized by the presence of multinucleated giant cells. These tumors are generally benign. However, they can be locally aggressive and may recur after surgery.

Epidemiology

GCTOB accounts for about 5% of all primary bone tumors. It usually occurs in adults between the ages of 20 and 40. It is slightly more common in women than in men.

Clinical Presentation

Patients with GCTOB often present with pain and swelling in the affected bone. The tumor most commonly affects the long bones, particularly the distal femur, proximal tibia, and distal radius.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of GCTOB is usually made based on the clinical presentation, radiographic findings, and histological examination of the tumor. Radiographs typically show a lytic, expansile lesion with a narrow zone of transition. Histologically, the tumor is composed of a mixture of mononuclear stromal cells and multinucleated giant cells.

Treatment

The treatment of GCTOB typically involves surgery to remove the tumor. In some cases, adjuvant therapy with radiation or medications may be used to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Prognosis

The prognosis for patients with GCTOB is generally good. However, the tumor can be locally aggressive and may recur after surgery. In rare cases, GCTOB can metastasize to the lungs. See also:

• Bone tumor
• Osteosarcoma
• Chondrosarcoma
• Ewing's sarcoma