Malignant
Giant Cell Tumor Introduction This
bone tumor is rare. It is much more common in females than males and occurs after
bone growth is finished. It develops at the extreme end of long bones in proximity
to or even being part of the joint. 75% of these cancers develop around the knee
joint, the sacrum
or the vertebrae. With every recurrence after treatment the new tumor tissue becomes
more resistant and difficult to treat. Initially there is low potential
for distant metastases, after the first recurrence there is a 30 to 40% malignant
transformation with the potential for distant metastases.
Symptoms The
first symptom is usually joint pain in a mass that is developing in or near a
joint. There is joint effusion, a mass at the bone and the range of motion in
the affected joint is decreased. Tests X-rays suggest
the diagnosis to an extent, but this alone is not reliable. A bone biopsy where
the typical giant cells are found together with other histological characteristics
will make the diagnosis. Treatment Surgery with
a complete removal is the treatment of choice. It will cure 90% of this type of
bone cancer. Because recurrence with this tumor is high, if not all cancer is
removed, the orthopedic surgeon will want to make certain that all of the cancerous
tissue is completely removed. This is done by complete resection, if this
is feasible or else by careful curettage and cryosurgery with a probe with liquid
nitrogen. This technique of combined curettage and cryosurgery allows the surgeon
to eradicate the tumor while preserving joint motion and avoiding amputation or
resection. In capable hands as few as only 2% recurrences occur after the first
surgery, a 10-fold decrease from the old technique, which was associated with
20 % or more recurrences. Other successful techniques are radiotherapy in a major
Cancer Clinic with experience in this rare bone tumor. There were some fears of
late malignant complications following radiotherapy in the past, but it turned
out that the reoccurrences were due to inadequate dosage of the radiation treatment.
Chemotherapy does not work with this type of bone cancer. Pain relief:
There is an FDA approved non-drug method available, IceWave
patches from Lifewave, which will control pain. This is mentioned in the
book "Breakthrough" by Suzanne Somers (Ref. 5) where newer insights
of antiaging medicine are also reviewed. Although the patches are placed over
acupuncture points, there are no needles involved. Nanotechnology, a newer technology,
was used in the manufacturing of these patches and infrared (heat) waves from
body heat are utilized to stimulate an acupuncture point, which modifies pain
perception and reduces pain to half or less. Medically this would be considered
an excellent pain reliever. For more info on the patches see the IceWave patches
from Lifewave link above (click "products"). In the US a 5 pack of the
IceWave spray is available that can be directly sprayed onto the skin in the area
where the pain is located. |
