Gs. Lausten et al., LOCAL RECURRENCES IN GIANT-CELL TUMOR OF BONE - LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF 31 CASES, International orthopaedics, 20(3), 1996, pp. 172-176
We studied the value of histopathological grading in determining the p
rognosis of giant cell tumour (osteoclastoma) and the rate of local an
d distant recurrences in a consecutive series of 31 patients. We found
that grading had no prognostic value. Eighteen patients were treated
by intralesional curettage and 13 by wide excision. Ten patients (56%)
, who were all treated by curettage, had local recurrences, but none o
f the tumours with wide excision recurred (p < 0.05). Five (16%) had l
ocal recurrences as well as distant metastases, usually to the lungs.
The recurrences developed later than an average of 12 years after prim
ary treatment in 3 patients. Wide excision and life-long follow np sho
uld be considered in the management of these tumours.