Outcomes of surgery for giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath within the hand.

Abstract

Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath is the most common benign proliferative lesion involving the upper limb, characterised by relatively high recurrence rate after surgery. The objective of the study was a retrospective analysis of outcomes of the operative treatment of these tumours, in a long-term (a mean of 4,2 year) follow-up. Patients and methods. Preoperative examination was performed in 58 patients, 36 females (62%) and 22 males (38%), in a mean age of 41 years, and treatment outcomes were assessed in 47 persons (81% of the operated on), at a mean of 4,2 year follow-up. The final assessment was performed in a form of phone interview. Results. The tumours most frequently were located in fingers - 42 cases (72%). In 31 patients (53%) the lesion had well-defined capsule, and in 11 (19%) a satellite nodules were found around the main tumour. A total of 9 relapses (21%) occurred, all within first 2 years following surgery. Two patients had a next episode of recurrence after the second operation. In 8 out of the 9 patients with the recurrence, the primary lesion had not well-defined capsule. In 38 patients who had no relapse, 31 were completely symptom-free, whereas 7 complained from mild pain of the scar and/or numbness of the part of the involved finger. Conclusions. The main factor influencing the high rate of recurrence was incomplete tumour excision, what resulted from inadequately accurate surgery and the tumour morphology (having no well-defend capsule). The role of operating with the use of magnifying devices and keeping greater surgical margin at resection of the non-capsulated lesions was emphasised, what may translate into reducing of the recurrence rate.