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The prognostic factors of recurrent GCT: a cooperative study by the Eastern Asian Musculoskeletal Oncology Group

  • Original article
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Journal of Orthopaedic Science

Abstract

Background

Giant-cell tumor (GCT) of bone is a common primary benign tumor with high local recurrence and potential distant metastasis or malignant transformation. We have investigated the clinical behavior of recurrent GCT of bone in the extremities.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 110 patients with recurrent GCTs of bone in the extremities treated by the Eastern Asian Musculoskeletal Oncology Group. The factors that affected the number of recurrences and distant metastasis were analyzed.

Results

The median interval between initial surgery and the first recurrence of GCT was 16 months (2–180 months). All patients received additional surgery for first recurrence. Twenty-five patients had a second recurrence and 6 patients had a third recurrence. The mean interval between the initial surgery and the first recurrence correlated with the eventual number of recurrences—14.1 months for the repeated recurrence groups (two and three recurrences) and 28.3 months for the single recurrence group (p = 0.016). Campanacci grade did not correlate with repeated recurrence (p = 0. 446). The venue of the initial surgery did not correlate with recurrence but did affect preservation of the adjacent joint (chi-squared test; p = 0.046). Campanacci grade II and III also correlated with sacrifice of the adjacent joint (p = 0.020). The incidence of lung metastasis and malignant transformation were 7.5% (8 out of 107 patients) and 2.7% (3 out of 110 patients), respectively. Repeat recurrence was associated with lung metastasis (p = 0.018).

Conclusions

Early local recurrence of GCT is a risk factor for repeat recurrence. Repeat recurrence also correlates with lung metastasis. Recurettage with meticulous adjuvant treatment to completely preclude recurrent lesions is a reasonable method for preserving the adjacent joint. However, a continuous careful follow-up is mandatory.

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Acknowledgments

The authors greatly appreciate Patrick P. Lin MD, for his valuable criticism and advice.

Conflict of interest

The authors indicate no potential conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa, 920-8641, Japan

    Akihiko Takeuchi & Hiroyuki Tsuchiya

  2. Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, China

    Xiaohui Niu

  3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Osaka National Hospital, Osaka University Orthopedic Oncology Group, Osaka, Japan

    Takafumi Ueda

  4. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea

    Dae-Geun Jeon

  5. Department of Orthopedics, College of Medicine and Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines

    Edward H. M. Wang

  6. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

    Apichat Asavamongkolkul

  7. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mie University Faculty of Medicine, Mie, Japan

    Katsuyuki Kusuzaki

  8. Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Toon, Japan

    Kenshi Sakayama

  9. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Seoul, Korea

    Yong-Koo Kang

Authors
  1. Akihiko Takeuchi
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  2. Hiroyuki Tsuchiya
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  3. Xiaohui Niu
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  4. Takafumi Ueda
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  6. Edward H. M. Wang
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  7. Apichat Asavamongkolkul
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  8. Katsuyuki Kusuzaki
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  10. Yong-Koo Kang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hiroyuki Tsuchiya.

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Takeuchi, A., Tsuchiya, H., Niu, X. et al. The prognostic factors of recurrent GCT: a cooperative study by the Eastern Asian Musculoskeletal Oncology Group. J Orthop Sci 16, 196–202 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-011-0030-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00776-011-0030-x

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