Click a tab below to learn about diagnosing diffuse or localized TGCT.
Diffuse TGCT tumors, like other soft tissue tumors, can be misdiagnosed.4 Therefore, physicians should be aware of differential diagnoses of diffuse TGCT that can include:
Diagnosis of TGCT can be confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), determined preoperatively by biopsy,
or discovered during surgery.2,11
Diagnosis of TGCT can be confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), determined preoperatively by biopsy,
or discovered during surgery.2,11
MRI of diffuse TGCT of a knee showing the negative signal of tumor (dark; marked with ✩), which is associated with iron deposition.
Adapted and reproduced with permission from
Palmerini E et al.12
As a healthcare professional, by understanding the disease course of TGCT, you can help patients receive proper care in a timely manner. Click your area of specialty below to learn how you may play a role in the journey to diagnosis and treatment of TGCT.*
This information is not intended to serve as guidelines or a tool for diagnosis and treatment. Rather, it is meant to raise awareness of TGCT in disciplines that may be involved in caring for patients who have it.
Orthopedic surgeons should be aware that patients with TGCT may seek or be referred to their care because they have specialized training in managing joint problems.13-15 TGCT is a group of rare tumors usually arising from the synovium of joints, bursae, and tendon sheaths.1,15 The diffuse form typically affects larger joints, with the majority of tumors occurring in the knee.1,14-17
Pathologists should be aware that pathological examination can aid in eliminating differential diagnoses and identifying malignant conditions.16,18 A few cases of malignant TGCT have been reported, although TGCT is rarely malignant.16,18,19
MRI is the best approach to diagnosing TGCT and planning for follow-up care18,20-22; nonetheless, histopathological and cytological examination may be suggestive of TGCT and aid in reaching a correct diagnosis.8,18,20
Physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists should be aware that the clinical presentation of TGCT can mimic common pathologies often associated with sports injuries or arthritis, which frequently results in patients being misdiagnosed.5,14,23-25 Symptoms tend to be nonspecific (eg, pain, swelling, limited range of motion),5 and patients may consult physical therapists or rehabilitation specialists to address their needs.26,27
Primary care physicians (PCPs) may be the first healthcare provider patients consult after they develop initial or progressive symptoms, including pain, swelling, or limited mobility.1,28,29 PCPs may provide physical assessments, review patient
history, and order routine biological tests to rule out differential diagnoses. They also may refer patients to
appropriate specialists.28-30
Radiologists should be aware that imaging techniques are important tools for diagnosing TGCT lesions preoperatively,
and the findings can help guide treatment.18,20,21,31 MRI is the best approach to diagnosing TGCT and planning for
follow-up care.18,20-22
Rheumatologists should be aware that symptoms of TGCT often are similar to those of phlogistic pathology, including arthritis or rheumatic arthrosynovitis, which contributes to patients initially being misdiagnosed.5,23,24 TGCT should be included among differential diagnoses of swelling, as it resembles osteoarthritis in the joints.29
Sports medicine specialists should be aware that the clinical presentation of TGCT can mimic common pathologies often associated with sports injuries, including pulled muscles or meniscal tears. TGCT should be included among differential diagnoses of pain, swelling, and limited range of motion, as it resembles sports-related complications.5,14,25,32
Localized TGCT tumors, like other soft tissue tumors, can be misdiagnosed.4 Therefore, physicians should be aware of differential diagnoses of localized TGCT that can include:
Diagnosis of TGCT can be confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), determined preoperatively by biopsy, or discovered during surgery.2,11
Diagnosis of TGCT can be confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), determined preoperatively by biopsy, or discovered during surgery.2,11
Image of right ankle, produced by sagittal T1-weighted spin-echo MRI, showing a well-delineated localized giant cell tumor (marked with ✩) anterior to the ankle.
Adapted and reproduced with permission from Illian C et al.4
As a healthcare professional, by understanding the disease course of TGCT, you can help patients receive proper care in a timely manner. Click your area of specialty below to learn how you may play a role in the journey to diagnosis and treatment of TGCT.*
This information is not intended to serve as guidelines or a tool for diagnosis and treatment. Rather, it is meant to raise awareness of TGCT in disciplines that may be involved in caring for patients who have it.
Hand surgeons should be aware that localized TGCT occurs predominantly in the hand. Patients with small, localized tumors in the hand may be referred to hand surgeons because of their specialized knowledge and skill set.1,16,29,35-37
Orthopedic surgeons should be aware that patients with TGCT may seek or be referred to their care because they have specialized training in managing joint problems.13-15 TGCT is a group of rare tumors usually arising from the synovium of joints, bursae, and tendon sheaths.1,15 The localized form is commonly seen in smaller joints, with the majority of tumors occurring in the digits.1,15,38
Pathologists should be aware that pathological examination can aid in eliminating differential diagnoses.16,18 MRI is the best approach to diagnosing TGCT and planning for follow-up care18,20-22; nonetheless, histopathological and cytological examination may be suggestive of TGCT and aid in reaching a correct diagnosis.8,18,20
Physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists should be aware that the clinical presentation of TGCT can mimic common pathologies often associated with sports injuries or arthritis, which frequently results in patients being misdiagnosed.5,14,23-25 Symptoms tend to be nonspecific (eg, pain, swelling, limited range of motion),5 and patients may consult physical therapists or rehabilitation specialists to address their needs.26,27
Primary care physicians (PCPs) may be the first healthcare provider patients consult after they develop initial or progressive symptoms, including pain, swelling, or limited mobility.28,29,39,40 PCPs may provide physical assessments, review patient
history, and order routine biological tests to rule out differential diagnoses. They also may refer patients to
appropriate specialists.28-30
Radiologists should be aware that imaging techniques are important tools for diagnosing TGCT lesions preoperatively,
and the findings can help guide treatment.18,20,21,31 MRI is the best approach to diagnosing TGCT and planning for
follow-up care.18,20-22
Rheumatologists should be aware that symptoms of TGCT often are similar to those of phlogistic pathology, including arthritis or rheumatic arthrosynovitis, which contributes to patients initially being misdiagnosed.5,23,24 TGCT should be included among differential diagnoses of swelling, as it resembles osteoarthritis in the joints.29
Sports medicine specialists should be aware that the clinical presentation of TGCT can mimic common pathologies often associated with sports injuries, including pulled muscles or meniscal tears. TGCT should be included among differential diagnoses of pain, swelling, and limited range of motion, as it resembles sports-related complications.5,14,25,32
References
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