Unusual Presentation of a Giant Cell Tumor of the Bone: A Case Report

TL;DR

A 14-year-old male presented with a rare bone tumor typically found in adults, showing unique features in the tibia.

Contribution

This case report highlights an unusual presentation of a giant cell tumor in a pediatric patient.

Findings

The tumor was located in the proximal diaphysis of the left tibia, an atypical site for GCTs.

The patient's age (14 years) is outside the usual 20-40 year range for GCT occurrence.

The tumor exhibited multinucleated giant cells and stromal cells, confirming its classification as a GCT.

Abstract

Bone giant cell tumors (GCTs) are rare, non-cancerous tumors that mostly affect the meta-epiphyseal region of long bones in the legs and arms. We are reporting a case of GCT of bone of a 14-year-old male; it usually occurs in the age group of 20-40 years. The presence of multinucleated giant cells and stromal cells in the proximal diaphysis of the left tibia serves as a distinguishing characteristic. The majority of GCTs are benign; they have the potential to induce bone loss and can be locally aggressive. Treatment options often include surgery, and in some cases, medications like denosumab may be used to help shrink the tumor or manage recurrent cases.

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