Click a tab below to learn about treating diffuse or localized TGCT.
Diffuse TGCT may require multiple surgeries or may not be cured
with surgery6,8
Surgical removal of diffuse tumors can be difficult because they have poorly defined boundaries.3,6-8 Where possible, however, surgical resection of diffuse tumors in an open or arthroscopic procedure is the standard of care.6 Because consensus about the most appropriate type of surgery currently does not exist, cases should be evaluated individually.3,10,11
The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines In Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Soft Tissue Sarcoma recommend that patients with TGCT be evaluated and managed by a multidisciplinary team.12 Because TGCT is rare,11 having multiple specialists on the team may help deliver the best patient care.2,12
Complete resection can be challenging, and recurrence
is common3,6,8,13
Diffuse TGCT, which lacks definitive boundaries, can be difficult to remove completely.3,6-8 Recurrence rates are estimated to be up to 55% (up to 1 in 2 patients).13 Patients may require multiple surgeries, which can lead to substantial morbidity of
the joint and the need for future joint arthroplasty—or, in extremely rare cases, amputation.6,8,10 The potentially long-term course of the disease can be associated with loss of joint function and development of early secondary osteoarthritis.5
Management beyond surgery may include physical therapy to rehabilitate joint function.14 Additionally, palliative treatment, including pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or steroids, may be prescribed.1 In cases where the tumor has led to extensive bone destruction, joint repair surgery may be warranted.15
See the literature and NCCN Guidelines® for
Soft Tissue Sarcoma at NCCN.org for treatment recommendations.
a The impact of TGCT is different for everyone; this information is not meant to be reflective of all patients with TGCT.
For most patients with localized disease, surgery can be curative16
Surgical resection in an open or arthroscopic procedure is the standard of care where possible.6 Because consensus about the most appropriate type of surgery currently does not exist, cases should be evaluated individually.3,10,11
Recurrence rate after complete resection is up to 15% (up to
1 in 7 patients)13
Recurrent localized tumors usually are not destructive. Typically, localized tumors
are treated with repeated surgical removal.17
Management beyond surgery may include physical therapy to rehabilitate joint function.14
Additionally, palliative treatment, including pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or steroids,
may be prescribed.1
See the literature and NCCN Guidelines® for
Soft Tissue Sarcoma at NCCN.org for treatment recommendations.
References