Giant cell tumour of bone, pattern, treatment outcome, Enugu, Nigeria.
Abstract
Background: Giant cell tumor is a benign but locally aggressive bone tumor with a tendency for local recurrence. It is relatively rare and may pose a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. Objective: We set out to review the pattern of this tumour in the South Eastern part of Nigeria. Materials & Method: A retrospective study of 45 patients with histopathologic diagnosis of giant cell tumour was done. The demographic data and clinical presentation were collated from the medical records. Also the mode treatment, evidence recurrence and metastasis were noted. Results: There was male predominance and the tumour showed predilection for long bones around the knee joint especially the distal femur. However we observed that eleven percent of cases occurred in the flat bones of the face. It occurred commonly between the ages of 16-45 years (80%) but sixteen percent was recorded in skeletally immature patients. Twenty-two percent of cases were primary malignant GCT. Majority of the cases 34(70%) had incisional biopsy, curettage and bone grafting. None had adjuvant therapy. Four patients with pathological fracture had amputation. Eight patients (18%) had local recurrence. Eight patients were lost to follow-up. Conclusion: This study shows some clear departure from already published works from others centres. Cytogenetic analysis may be able to elucidate and explain these differences.
