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. 2025 Jun 2;33(2):e285061.
doi: 10.1590/1413-785220253302e285061. eCollection 2025.

30 YEARS OF BONE GIANT CELL TUMOR IN THE KNEE: A BRAZILIAN PERSPECTIVE

Eduardo da Silva Rodrigues  1 , Michelle Ghert  2 , Bruno Pereira Antunes  1 , Carlos Roberto Galia  1 , Julie Francine Cerutti Santos Pestilho  3 , Eduardo Areas Toller  4 , Olavo Pires de Camargo  5 , Edgard Eduard Engel  6 , Suely Akiko Nakagawa  7 , Alex Guedes  8 , Ricardo Gehrke Becker  1
Affiliations

30 YEARS OF BONE GIANT CELL TUMOR IN THE KNEE: A BRAZILIAN PERSPECTIVE

Eduardo da Silva Rodrigues et al. Acta Ortop Bras. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To analyze the evolution of patient/tumor characteristics and treatments for GCTB in the knee in Brazil over 30 years and assess changes in local recurrence rates.

Methods: Retrospective study of 335 patients (1989-2021) from 16 Brazilian centers. Data on patient/tumor characteristics, recurrence, metastasis, and treatment trends were evaluated.

Results: Campanacci grade 3 tumors, pulmonary metastasis, and local recurrence rates were 56.7%, 5.3%, and 15.8%, respectively. Recurrence was 21.4% for curettage and 9% for resection. Curettage with denosumab showed 23.8% recurrence, versus 21% for curettage alone. Overall, local recurrence decreased from 22.9% (1989-2005) to 15.1% (2006-2021), with a significant drop after en bloc resection (23% to 7.8%), while curettage-related recurrence remained stable.

Conclusions: Despite an increase in aggressive tumors, local recurrence decreased, especially after en bloc resection. These findings emphasize the challenges of managing rare diseases in emerging economies. Level of evidence: III; Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objetivo: Analisar a evolução das características dos pacientes/tumores e dos tratamentos para GCTB no joelho no Brasil ao longo de 30 anos, avaliando as mudanças nas taxas de recorrência local.

Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de 335 pacientes (1989-2021) de 16 centros brasileiros. Foram avaliados dados sobre características dos pacientes/tumores, recorrência, metástases e tendências de tratamento.

Resultados: As taxas de tumores Campanacci grau 3, metástase pulmonar e recorrência local foram de 56,7%, 5,3% e 15,8%, respectivamente. A recorrência foi de 21,4% para a curetagem e 9% para a ressecção. A associação de denosumabe e curetagem apresentou 23,8% de recorrência, contra 21% para a curetagem isolada. A recorrência local reduziu de 22,9% (1989-2005) para 15,1% (2006-2021), com uma queda significativa após a ressecção em bloco (23% para 7,8%), enquanto a recorrência após curetagem permaneceu estável.

Conclusões: Apesar do aumento de tumores agressivos, a taxa de recorrência local diminuiu, especialmente após a ressecção em bloco. Esses achados destacam os desafios no manejo de doenças raras em economias emergentes. Nível de evidência: III; Estudo de Coorte Retrospectivo.

Keywords: Curettage; Denosumab; Giant Cell Tumors; Neoplasms, Bone Tissue; Recurrence.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors declare no potential conflict of interest related to this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Flow diagram of patient selection.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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