Giant cell tumor: Curettage and bone grafting

BACKGROUND: Curettage and wide resection are accepted methods of treatment of giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone. The success rate with curettage in different reports varies widely. There is a paucity in the literature regarding selection of cases for curettage. Present study is an analysis of outcome of 34 cases treated by curettage and bone grafting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four cases of GCT of bone, 28 fresh and six with recurrence were treated by curettage and bone grafting. All cases of Campanancci grade 1, 2 and grade 3 which on computerized tomography scan showed break in the cortex confined to one surface and cortical break less than one third of circumference were treated by curettage and bone grafting. RESULTS: 4 (14%) of these lesions treated primarily by us showed recurrence after one and half year. CONCLUSION: Curettage and bone grafting is a reliable method in the treatment of GCT, provided guidelines regarding selection of cases and principles of tumor surgery are strictly adhered to.