Giant cell tumor is a common cancer that most often affects people between the ages of 15 and 40. The disease is characterized by a benign course, and the tumor itself is formed in the tissues of the bones.
On the other hand, under the influence of certain factors, a malignant degeneration is possible, which is fraught with dangerous consequences. So what is the disease and what symptoms should you pay attention to?
What is osteoblastoclastoma? Building Features
Giant cell tumor is a rather specific structure that forms in bone tissues. It is known that osteoblastoclastoma consists of two types of cells: small mononuclear (cells of a round or oval shape with a light nucleus and a small amount of chromatin) and giant multinuclear cells (contain 20-30 nuclei and outwardly resemble normal osteoclasts; they are evenly distributed in the thickness of the neoplasm and isolated from each other). friend).
In the section, you can see that inside the tumor there is a soft brown tissue with traces of smallhemorrhages (hemorrhages) and necrosis.
Classification of neoplasms
In modern medicine, such neoplasms are classified depending on the structure, shape and other characteristics. If we talk about the structural features, then a giant cell tumor can be:
- cellular (consists of small cells separated by incomplete bone septa);
- cystic (the tumor is a cavity in the bone; it is filled with fluid, so it looks like a cyst);
- lytic (this is an aggressive type of tumor, the growth of which is accompanied by rapid destruction of bone tissue; a specific bone pattern cannot be determined).
During the diagnosis, attention is also paid to the location of the neoplasm. The tumor can be central (formed in the thickness of the bone) or peripheral (affects superficial bone structures and periosteum).
In about 50% of cases, the neoplasm is located in the bone tissue around the knee joint. Often the tumor is found in the distal part of the radius. However, osteoblastoclastoma can affect almost any bone, including the vertebrae, sacrum, tibia, femur, humerus, and mandible. Sometimes the pathological process extends to tendons and soft tissues.
Main causes of disease development
Unfortunately, to date, the causes of the appearance and growth of the tumor are unknown. It is believed that there is a hereditary factor, especially if the laying and development of the bone apparatusthe baby went wrong from the start.
Some experts argue that the likelihood of developing a giant cell tumor increases if the patient had inflammatory diseases affecting the bone and periosteum. Risk factors also include frequent fractures and other injuries of the supporting apparatus.
Which symptoms to look out for?
In the initial stages of development, a giant cell tumor rarely makes itself felt. Early signs include only aching pain, which occurs periodically. More pronounced symptoms occur as a result of intensive growth of the neoplasm.
Bone starts to break down. Spontaneous fractures are possible at the site of the neoplasm. As the tumor grows, swelling appears under the skin, sometimes with clear outlines. A network of vessels is drawn on the outer covers in the affected area.
If the neoplasm is located close to the joint, then partial or complete loss of its mobility is possible. Soreness also becomes more pronounced - discomfort worries the patient both during physical activity and at rest.
Malignant process and its signs
Giant cell tumor of bone is considered relatively safe. Nevertheless, there is always a risk of malignant degeneration of the neoplasm. To date, the exact reasons that trigger the process are unknown. Some scientists believe that hormonal changes and frequentinjury. There are doctors who claim that the rebirth is the result of previous radiation therapy.
In any case, you should understand that a malignant neoplasm is dangerous. By the way, the process is accompanied by a number of symptoms that you should pay attention to. There is an intensive growth in education. Often, the pathological process goes beyond the bone - in such cases, a giant cell tumor of soft tissues or tendons is formed.
During the examination, it is possible to get ahead of the change in the structure of the neoplasm - it becomes lytic, the bone bridges between the cells disappear, the contours of the cystic tumor become blurred. The diameter of the lesion is increasing - the disease is accompanied by intense destruction of bone tissue.
Diagnostic procedures
The presence of certain symptoms should prompt the doctor to think about the presence of cancer. Of course, giant cell tumor requires careful diagnosis. After collecting an anamnesis, the patient is prescribed:
- Biochemical blood test, which allows not only to check the work of the whole organism, but also to detect markers indicating the destruction of bone tissue.
- X-ray examination is obligatory. In the pictures, the doctor can see the tumor, assess its size, and examine the condition of the bone. Equipment for such diagnostics is available in almost every hospital, and the cost of the procedure is affordable.
- The mostan informative method is magnetic resonance imaging (similarly accurate results can be obtained using computed tomography). The doctor has the opportunity to determine the size and structure of the tumor, assess the condition of the bone tissue, and see the existing metastases. Unfortunately, this is quite an expensive study.
- After a tumor is found, a biopsy is recommended. During the procedure, the doctor takes tissue from the neoplasm - the samples are then sent to the laboratory. Biopsy analysis helps to check if the tumor contains malignant cells.
Based on the data obtained, the doctor can determine whether the neoplasm is dangerous, and then choose the most effective method of treatment.
Giant cell tumor treatment
Immediately it should be said that therapy directly depends on the size of the neoplasm, the presence of a malignant process, the location of metastases, etc.
Removal of the giant cell tumor is mandatory. During the operation, not only the neoplasm is resected, but also the area of the affected bone. The removed part of the supporting apparatus is replaced with a prosthesis. If the tumor becomes inflamed or infected, the doctor may decide to amputate the entire limb. If metastases were found in the patient's body (for example, in the lung or liver), then a partial removal of the affected tissues is carried out.
Radiotherapy is often included in the regimen. Such treatment is necessary if the tumor cannot be removed (for example, it has formed inside the femoralbone, vertebra or sacrum). Irradiation is also carried out in the presence of a malignant process, even if during the surgical intervention it was possible to get rid of all pathological formations. In some cases, patients deliberately refuse bone resection.
The choice of treatment method should be entrusted to the doctor. Remote gamma therapy, orthovoltage X-ray therapy, bremsstrahlung or electron radiation are used to treat osteoblastoclastoma.
Giant cell tumor: prognosis for patients and possible complications
In most cases, the prognosis for patients is positive. Of course, the neoplasm must be removed, often together with the area of the affected bone. But relapses are rare.
But a malignant giant cell tumor is dangerous, because the disease is accompanied by the formation of metastases, which can be located in almost any organ. It is not always possible for a surgeon to resect all neoplasms.
