Primary malignancy in giant cell tumor: a case report

Abstract

CONTEXT: Primary malignancy in giant cell tumor (PMGCT) is rare. It is defined as a high-grade sarcoma originating in a giant cell tumor (GCT) and seems to behave less aggressively than its secondary counterpart does. CASE REPORT:This report presents the case of a 39-year-old female with pain in her left shoulder for one month. Radiography showed a pathological fracture of the proximal humerus associated with an osteolytic lesion. Histopathological analysis showed typical areas of GCT juxtaposed with a sarcomatous component.CONCLUSIONS: PMGCT seems to behave less aggressively than secondary malignancy in GCT, and it may simulate its more common benign counterpart clinically and radiographically. However, it requires a more aggressive type of treatment.RESUMO CONTEXTO: Malignização primária no tumor de células gigantes (MPTCG) é rara. Ela é definida como um sarcoma de alto grau originário de um tumor de células gigantes que parece ser menos agressivo que o tipo secundário. RELATO DE CASO:Relatamos um caso de uma paciente de 39 anos de idade, com dor no ombro esquerdo há um mês. A radiografia mostrou uma fratura patológica do úmero proximal associada a uma lesão osteolítica. O exame histopatológico revelou típicas áreas de tumor de células gigantes justapostas por um componente sarcomatoso.CONCLUSÃO: MPTCG parece se comportar menos agressivamente que a neoplasia secundária do tumor de células gigantes (TCG), e pode simular o TCG, que é mais comum, tanto clínica como radiograficamente. Entretanto, exige tratamento mais agressivo.

Primary malignant giant cell tumour of the proximal tibia: a case report

“…These tumours are typically located in the juxta-epiphyseal region of long bones in post-pubertal adolescents and young adults, with the proximal tibia and distal femur being the most commonly affected sites [1,5,8,17].…”

“…Histologically, two cell types characterize GCTs, mononuclear stromal cells and multinucleated osteoclast-like giant cells [1,8]. The mononuclear stromal cell component is compromised of two distinct cell lines; mononuclear round cells (minor component) ad mononuclear spindle shaped cells (major component) [8,18].…”