Recurrent giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath

Seventy patients underwent surgical excision of a giant cell tumor of the t endon sheath. The patients were monitored for an average of 3 years 4 month s. Nineteen of the 70 patients (27%) had a surgically and histologically do cumented recurrence at an average of 2 years 3 months (range, 3 months to 1 0 years) following the initial procedure. Eight of 19 patients (42%) with r ecurrence had a prior recurrence. Statistically significant risk factors fo r recurrence included presence of adjacent degenerative joint disease, loca tion at the distal interphalangeal joint of the finger or interphalangeal j oint of the thumb, and radiographic presence of an osseous pressure erosion . Age, gender, size, and location within the digit (volar vs dorsal) were n ot risk factors for recurrence. Awareness of these associations should be r eflected in the surgeon's approach and preoperative discussion with the pat ient. (J Hand Surg 1999;24A:1298-1302. Copyright (C) 1999 by the American S ociety for Surgery of the Hand.).