[Calcitonin therapy in large or recurrent central giant cell granulomas of the lower jaw]

In three patients, boys aged 4 and 3 years and a woman aged 18 years, central giant cell granuloma of the mandible was diagnosed. As an alternative to mutilating surgery all three patients were treated with calcitonin, the second one when he was 16 years old and after the tumour had recurred 5 times following extirpation. After an average therapy of 14 months, no recurrences were encountered. Mean follow-up was 8 months. In local biopsies mature bone tissue was seen during the first 3 months of therapy, slight changes of the levels of procollagen peptide type 1, parathormone and hydroxyproline in 24-hour urine were noticed, all within the normal limits. During and after termination of therapy serum calcium, phosphate and parathormone stayed within the normal range. Side effects consisted of flushes, nausea and vomiting. Calcitonin is still an experimental therapy for central giant cell granuloma, but may be a good alternative to mutilating surgery in case of large or multiple recurring tumours.