Giant cell tumor: treatment and prognosis

Gigantocellular tumor is a common oncological disease, which is most often experienced by people aged 15 to 40 years. The disease is characterized by a benign course, and the tumor itself is formed in the tissues of the bones.

On the other hand, under the influence of some factors malignant degeneration is possible, which is fraught with dangerous consequences. So what is an ailment and what symptoms are worth paying attention to?

What is osteoblastoklastoma? Features of the structure

Giant cell tumor is a rather specific structure that forms in bone tissues. It is known that osteoblastoklastoma consists of two types of cells: small mononuclear cells (round or oval cells with a light nucleus and a small amount of chromatin) and giant multinucleated (contain 20-30 nuclei and resemble normal osteoclasts, they are evenly distributed in the thickness of the tumor and isolated by each other from friend).

In the section, one can see that inside the tumor there is a soft brown tissue with traces of small hemorrhages (hemorrhages) and necrosis.

Classification of neoplasms

In modern medicine, such neoplasms are classified depending on the structure, shape and other characteristics. If we talk about the features of the structure, the giant cell tumor can be:

• Cellular (composed of small cells separated by incomplete bone septa);
• Cystic (the tumor is a cavity in the bone, it is filled with fluid, so it looks like a cyst);
• Lytic (this is an aggressive type of tumor, the growth of which is accompanied by the rapid destruction of bone tissue, it is impossible to determine a specific bone pattern).

During the diagnosis, attention is also paid to the location of the neoplasm. The tumor can be central (formed in the thickness of the bone) or peripheral (affects the superficial bone structure and periosteum).

In about 50% of cases, the neoplasm is located in the tissues of the bones around the knee joint. Often a tumor is found in the distal part of the radius. Nevertheless, osteoblastoklasstoma can affect almost any bone, including vertebrae, sacrum, tibia, femur and humerus, lower jaw. Sometimes the pathological process extends to tendons and soft tissues.

The main causes of the disease

Unfortunately, for today the reasons for the appearance and growth of the tumor are unknown. It is believed that there is a hereditary factor, especially if the insertion and development of the child's bone apparatus from the very beginning were wrong.

Some experts argue that the probability of a giant cell tumor increases if the patient has inflammatory diseases affecting the bone and periosteum. Risk factors can also include frequent fractures and other injuries of the support apparatus.

What symptoms should I pay attention to?

At the initial stages of development the giant cell tumor rarely makes itself felt. By early signs can be attributed only aching pain, which occurs periodically. More pronounced symptoms result from the intensive growth of the neoplasm.

Bone tissue begins to deteriorate. Spontaneous fractures are possible at the site of localization of the neoplasm. As the tumor grows under the skin, a swelling appears, sometimes with clear outlines. On the outer cover in the area of the defeat is drawn a network of vessels.

If the neoplasm is located close to the joint, then a partial or complete loss of its mobility is possible. Soreness also becomes more pronounced - discomfort worries the patient both during physical activity and at rest.

Malignant process and its signs

Gigantocellular bone tumor is considered relatively safe. Nevertheless, there is always a risk of a malignant degeneration of the neoplasm. To date, the exact causes that trigger the process are unknown. Some scientists believe that the blame for everything - changes in the hormonal background and frequent injuries. There are doctors who claim that rebirth is the result of previous radiation therapy.

In any case, it is worthwhile to understand that the malignant neoplasm is dangerous. By the way, the process is accompanied by a number of symptoms, which are worth paying attention to. There is an intensive growth of education. Often, the pathological process goes beyond the bone - in such cases, a giant cell tumor of soft tissues or tendons is formed.

During the examination, you can get ahead of the change in the structure of the neoplasm - it becomes lytic, the bone bridges between the cells disappear, the contours of the cystic tumor become blurred. The diameter of the lesion is increased - the ailment is accompanied by intensive destruction of bone tissue.

Diagnostic procedures

The presence of these or other symptoms should prompt the doctor to think about the presence of cancer. Of course, the giant cell tumor requires careful diagnosis. After an anamnesis is collected, the patient is assigned:

• Biochemical blood test, which allows not only to check the work of the whole organism, but also to find markers, indicating the destruction of bone tissue.
• Obligatory is an x-ray study. In the pictures, the doctor can see the tumor, estimate its size, and study the bone condition. Equipment for such diagnostics is available in almost every hospital, and the cost of the procedure is affordable.
• The most informative method is magnetic resonance imaging (the same exact results can be obtained with the help of computer tomography). The doctor can determine the size and structure of the tumor, assess the condition of bone tissue, see the available metastases. Unfortunately, this is quite an expensive study.
• After detection of a tumor, a biopsy is recommended. During the procedure, the doctor conducts tissue collection from the tumor - the samples are then sent to the laboratory. An analysis of the biopsy helps to check if the tumor contains malignant cells.

Based on the findings, the doctor can determine whether the tumor is dangerous, and then choose the most effective way of treatment.

Giant cell tumor: treatment

Immediately it is necessary to say that therapy directly depends on the size of the tumor, the presence of a malignant process, the location of metastases, and so on.

The removal of a giant cell tumor is mandatory. During the operation, a resection is performed not only of the neoplasm, but also of the area of the affected bone. The removed part of the supporting apparatus is replaced with a prosthesis. With inflammation or infection of the tumor, the doctor may decide to amputate the entire limb. If metastases (for example, in the lung or in the liver) were detected in the patient's body, then partial removal of the affected tissue is carried out.

Quite often the scheme includes radiation therapy. Such treatment is necessary in the event that the tumor can not be removed (for example, it was formed inside the femur, vertebra or sacrum). Irradiation is also carried out in the presence of malignant process, even if during the surgical intervention it was possible to get rid of all pathological formations. In some cases, patients consciously refuse bone resection.

The choice of method of treatment should be entrusted to the doctor. For the treatment of osteoblastoklastomy remote gamma-therapy, orthovoltaic radiotherapy, brake or electron radiation are used.

Giant cell tumor: prognosis for patients and possible complications

In most cases, the predictions for patients are positive. Undoubtedly, the tumor needs to be removed, often together with the site of the affected bone. But relapses are rarely recorded.

But a malignant giant cell tumor is dangerous, because the disease is accompanied by the formation of metastases, which can be located almost in any organ. Far not always the surgeon manages to resect all neoplasms.