Cryosurgery in the treatment of giant cell tumor - A long term followup study

Between 1983 and 1993, 102 patients with giant cell tumor of bone were trea ted at three institutions. Sixteen patients (15.9%) presented with already having had local recurrence. All patients were treated with thorough curett age of the tumor, burr drilling of the tumor inner walls, and cryotherapy b y direct pour technique using liquid nitrogen. The average followup was 6.5 years (range, 4-15 years). The rate of local recurrence in the 86 patients treated primarily with cryosurgery was 2.3% (two patients), and the overal l recurrence rate was 7.9% (eight patients). Six of these patients were cur ed by cryosurgery and two underwent resection, Overall, 100 of 102 patients were cured with cryosurgery, Complications associated with cryosurgery inc luded six (5.9%) pathologic fractures, three (2.9%) cases of partial skin n ecrosis, and two (1.9%) significant degenerative changes. Overall function was good to excellent in 94 patients (92.2%), moderate in seven patients (6 .9%), and Door in one patient (0.9%), Cryosurgery has the advantages of joi nt preservation, excellent functional outcome, and low recurrence rate when compared with other joint preservation procedures, For these reasons, it i s recommended as an adjuvant to curettage for most giant cell tumors of bon e.