Surgery Therapy of Giant Cell Tumor of Long Bones in Extremities

Objective To evaluate the clinical results of the giant cell tumors of long bones treated by surgery.Methods To analyze retrospectively 37 patients with giant cell tumors in extremities treated by curettage and en block resection from November 1998 to April 2006.Results All the 37 cases were followed up for 2 years and 11 months in average(8 months-7 years and 2 months),3 of 21 cases treated with curettage,devitalizing with 95% alcohol and packing with cement recurred;3 of 12 cases treated with curettage,devitalizing with 95% alcohol and packing with cement and bone grafting recurred;None of 4 case treated with block resection and artificial joint prosthetic replacement recurred.The local recurrence rate was 18.2% in the curetted group and 0% in the block resection group.Conclusion Both curettage,devitalizing with 95% alcohol,and packing with cement and en block resection are an effective and safe method in treatment of giant cell tumors of long bones.