Giant Cell Tumor - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim

Dr. Ebraheim’s educational animated video describes the condition of Giant Cell Tumor.

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A giant cell tumor is a benign, locally aggressive tumor with bone destruction and with malignant potential. Giant cell tumors occur more in females and usually occur in skeletally mature patients. Giant cell tumors occur more in the distal femur, but they can occur in the proximal tibia, distal radius, proximal humerus, hand, spine (vertebral body), and the sacrum. When a giant cell tumor occurs in the sacrum, it occurs in the Ala, which is different from chordomas which occur in the midline of the sacrum. A giant cell tumor is an eccentric lesion that is lytic or radiolucent, and lies within the epiphysis/metaphysis area of the bone.
Plain x-rays are usually diagnostic and the lesion is usually geographic. This rumor rarely extends to the articular cartilage; however, it can break through the cortex into the surrounding tissues. Pulmonary metastases occur in about 2% and theses lesions are usually benign. Get chest x-rays or Ct scans of the chest as part of the diagnostic workup.
In pathology, the giant cell tumor contains large multinucleated giant cells in addition to mononuclear stromal cells. The stroma cells look like the nuclei of the giant cells. The mononuclear stromal cells are the neoplastic cells. The giant cells are similar to osteoclasts and are directed through RANKL pathways to cause bone destruction. The tumor may have secondary Aneurysmal Bone Cyst (ABC) component.
The physician should rule out hyperparathyroidism or Brown Tumor. With multiple lesions (multiple giant cells) and in hyperparathyroidism, the serum calcium level is high. Giant cell tumors can appear in other pathological conditions, such as aneurysmal bone cysts, fractures, and chondroblastomas. If you see giant cells under the microscope, this does not mean that the patient has a giant cell tumor. Epiphyseal tumors such as chondroblastoma (young patients) and clear-cell chondrosarcoma (adult patients) should be ruled out as well. In the sacrum, you need to differentiate a Giant Cell Tumor from Chordoma. Chordoma will have a central location.
Primary malignant giant cell tumors have a greater chance of metastasis. This tumor behaves like an osteosarcoma with an abundance of giant cells (it is a different type of tumor). Metastasis can occur in about 5% of cases. Secondary malignant giant cell tumors can occur following radiation or following unsuccessful attempts at removal of the giant cell tumor with recurrence. When there is recurrence of the tumor, you will see the radiolucent zone and then biopsy the tumor again.
Medical treatment consists of bisphosphonate and denosumab (will act on the RANK pathway). Denosumab is a human monoclonal antibody that is used in recurrent disease and when wide resection may cause significant morbidity. Denosumab is used in unresectable Giant Cell Tumors or when there is recurrence, or when the tumor is aggressive. Aggressive curettage and the use of the adjuvant (can be phenol, hydrogen peroxide, or cryotherapy). The adjuvant decreases the microscopic disease and reduces the recurrence. After the aggressive curettage, the defect can be filled with bone graft or cement, plus or minus fixation. Resection and reconstruction is usually done in aggressive lesion if the tumor erodes or extends to the soft tissues, or in recurrent cases. Resection and reconstruction can also be done when there is involvement of the subchondral bone.

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