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

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.

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.

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).

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.