Giant cell tumor of the spine: A review of 9 surgical interventions in 6 cases

BACKGROUND: Giant cell tumor (GCT) of the spine is uncommon but most aggressive benign tumor of the spine with unpredictable outcome. We present our observation on six cases of GCT of the spine. We treated six patients with giant cell tumors (GCT) of the spine between 1993 and 2006. A total of nine surgical interventions were carried out. Four interventions were carried out in patients presented as ‘new’ cases, while five on recurrences from past GCT resections. All presented with cord compression and neurological deficits of varying grades. All patients also presented with clinical as well as radiological instability. Preoperative tissue diagnosis was available only in the five recurrences (tissue from the old resection). Posterior only (n=2), anterior only (n=4) and single-stage back and front (n=3) surgeries were carried out depending on the nature of the tumor. RESULTS: Overall results were satisfactory, as all patients were symptom-free postoperatively. Two out of our four new patients had tumor recurrence and both needed repeat resection. Both have been disease-free at last follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgical intervention is mandatory. Close follow up is needed for early diagnosis of recurrences.