Giant cell tumour of bone: an analysis of 139 Indian patients

Giant cell tumour of bone (GCT) is a benign but locally aggressive lesion. We analysed a series of GCTs of bone to determine whether there was any variation in the incidence and distribution in an Indian population compared to other populations reported in the literature, as well as treatment options applicable in developing countries, and we report the results here.

A total of 139 patients with histologically proven GCT of bone were treated in our referral centre. Of these, 124 cases had a follow-up of more than 2 years (mean 8.3 years). Demographically, 72 were male, 67 were female, and they had a mean age of 29 years (range 15-59 years). The majority of the cases were of Campanacci grade III (n = 72, 51.1%). A total of 157 oncological procedures were performed.

Incidence of GCT of bone was found to be 20.3% (n = 139/685) among all primary bone tumours. The distal radial involvement amounted to 22.7% (n = 28). There were 14 recurrences (11.1%) and 3 re-recurrences. Functional outcome was evaluated using the MSTS-93 scoring system. Average rating was 89.6% (avg. score 26.9) for upper extremities and 84% (avg. score 25.2) for lower extremities.

The incidence of GCT of bone was found to be high in our population, with surprisingly high involvement of the distal radius. Nonvascularised autogenous fibular graft was found to be an effective option for reconstruction. The Indian population, like their South East Asian neighbours, has a higher incidence of GCT compared to Western populations described in the literature.