Management of Giant Cell Tumors in Hand and Foot

The aim of this study is to determine the treatment modalities and clinical characteristics of 12 patients diagnosed with giant cell tumor (GCT) of the hand and foot. The clinical findings, treatment modalities, and treatment failures of 12 patients with giant cell tumors of the hand and foot bones between 2007 and 2018 years were evaluated retrospectively. The average age at diagnosis was 29.2 ± 14.9 std. (between 16 and 62 years old), 8 males (66.6%) and 4 females (33.3%). Tumor was more frequently located in the talus, metacarpal, and metatarsal bones. The mean tumor size was 3.1 ± 1.1 cm (between 2.2 and 5.3 cm). The mean post-operative follow-up period was 76.3 ± 42.5 (between 12 and 139 months). The most of patients’ (58.3%) common complaints were pain. The most commonly used surgical method was curettage + autografting (91.7%). Infection was seen in one patient after relapse surgery. Recurrence occurred in 33.3% of the patients in the first year. Only one patient was detected to have knee and lung metastases. Swelling and pain in the hand and foot should be examined for tumor lesions. When a bone lesion is detected, the giant cell tumor of the bone should be included in the differential diagnosis. Patients with giant cell tumors should be followed closely for recurrence and metastasis after treatment.