Soft Tissue Giant Cell Tumor - Incidence and Therapeutic Results

Introduction. Giant cell tumors of soft tissue (GCTs) have a relatively low incidence and their low prognosis is reserved to local relapses and distant metastases. This type of pathology usually affects adults and the elderly and it is localized in the extremities, most frequently in the thigh. Materials and methods. GCT is a relatively low aggressive tumor; approximately 85% of the patients survive at least 5 years after diagnosis. The risk factors for low prognosis are old age, metastases at the time of diagnosis, local relapse. We conducted this study in the University Emergency Hospital, Bucharest for a period of 3 years, between 01.01.2015 and 01.01.2018, which included 20 patients with ages between 22 and 83 years, of whom 9 were women and 11 were men. Results. Excision with safety margins was performed for all patients. During surgery, tissue samples from 6 different areas were sent for extemporaneous examination. After excision, the histopathological examination was performed and the diagnosis of GCT was established. Localized forms were described in 16 cases; diffuse forms were identified in 4 cases and loco-regional recurrences in 3 cases. Pre or postoperative adjuvant treatment was not applied in any of the cases. Conclusions. GCT is a rare, potentially malignant pathology, in which case evolution is unfavorable. From the clinical and imaging point of view, it is difficult to establish this diagnosis due to the large variety of pathologies it can be mistaken for, making biopsy an essential step within the diagnostic algorithm. Election treatment is represented by local excision with safety margins.