GCT of bone
GCT is a benign tumor found inside of bone. 2% of GCT occurs in the hand. It commonly involves the finger bones ; metacarpals and phalanges. Commonly seen in persons above 40 years of age.
The most common signs of a GCT include:
- No symptoms whatsoever.
- Thickening of a finger with enchondroma.
- Pain after an injury.
Though they are considered benign ( not harmful) lesions based on histology, they may behave in a locally aggressive manner leading to sudden increase in finger size and pain.
Plain X ray of hand or finger helps in diagnosis. Further details about the lesion are obtained from Magnet Resonance Imaging (MRI). Definite diagnosis is obtained only after histopathological (biopsy) evaluation. Additional evaluation is done in all patients to rule out similar lesions elsewhere in the body.
Different treatment modalities are adopted depending on the site of lesion, aggressiveness of the lesion and presence of lesion elsewhere on the body. Treatment range from curretage , cryosurgery, amputation or wide excision of involved bone