Giant cell rich osteosarcoma revisited—diagnostic criteria and histopathologic patterns, Ki67, CDK4, and MDM2 expression, changes in response to bisphosphonate and denosumab treatment

Abstract

Defining giant cell-rich osteosarcoma (GCRO) as “an osteosarcoma in which more than 50% of the tumor consists of numerous uniformly distributed osteoclastic giant cells amidst oval or spindle mononuclear cells embedded in a fibrovascular stroma,” eight such cases identified among 265 cases of osteosarcoma were analysed. Their age ranges from 11 to 33 years, with peak incidence in the second decade and equal sex distribution. Seventy-five percent presented with pain, commonest in the knee, affecting the metaphysis. Most appeared radiologically as well-circumscribed expansile multiloculated osteolytic lesions, and many are displayed periosteal reaction. They showed several distinct histologic patterns: the stromal and giant cell, fibrohistiocytic, aneurysmal-cystic, osteoblastoma-like, and parosteal and fibrous dysplasia-like patterns. Focal subtle lacelike osteoid deposition, permeative infiltration into adjacent native bony trabeculae and over 30 % Ki67 proliferative index were characteristic. There was no CDK4 and MDM2 amplification. In those having bisphosphonate and denosumab treatment, there was limited focal necrosis with reduction in the number of giant cells and broad trabecular woven bone formation but no giant osteoclast was seen. Two patients with initial diagnosis of giant cell tumor treated by curettage and local resection pursued aggressive clinical courses, died after 14 and 21 months. The others survived 12 to 110 months. GCRO accounts for about 3 % of all osteosarcomas and apart from its more frequent diaphyseal location and associated normal bone-specific alkaline phosphate levels; it shares with conventional high-grade osteosarcoma the same patient demographics, sites of occurrence, absence of CDK4 and MDM2 amplification, and probably clinical course.