Tenosynovial giant cell tumor – Diagnosis and Treatment
Tenosynovial giant cell tumor – Diagnosis and Treatment
Tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) belongs to a cluster of rare tumors which develop in the joints. In most cases, TGCT isn’t cancerous, however, it could end up damaging the surrounding joint structures. It affects three areas of the joint known as synovium, bursae, and tendon sheath. The condition is characterized by symptoms such as:
- Lump or swelling in the joint
- Joint stiffness
- Joint pain or tenderness
- Warm skin over the joint
- A sound of catching, locking or popping when the joint moves
Diagnosis
Based on the symptoms of the condition, the doctor will recommend some tests to ascertain TGCT.
Treatment
If TGCT is confirmed, then the doctors will typically suggest a surgery to remove the tumor, and at times, remove some part or of all of the synovium. In some cases, the tumor might reoccur even after the surgery, and a patient might have to get it done again.
Post-surgery, the doctor can use radiation therapy to get rid of the remnants of the tumor that couldn’t possibly be removed during the surgery. Radiation to destroy such tumor can be administered from machine outside the body or is directly pointed the affected part of the joint.
In individuals with diffuse TGCT, the tumor can come back multiple times which then would require multiple surgeries. To deal with this type of TGCT, colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) inhibitors can be used. These medications thwart the CSF1 receptor to prevent the tumor from gathering more cells. At the moment, these medicines are still at an experimental stage, so more research is required to definitively assert its benefits for TGCT.
Though, tenosynovial giant cell tumor is usually benign, it can develop to a point where it could cause severe joint damage and even disability. On rare occasions, the tumor might even spread to other parts of the body and trigger serious complications. So, it important that one seeks timely diagnosis and treatment if they are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms.
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