Time required for effective action of phenol against giant cell tumour cells.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the time required for effective action of phenol against the giant cell tumour (GCT) cells.


METHODS
Fresh GCT cells were harvested from 9 patients with primary GCT of the distal femur (n=4), proximal tibia (n=4), and proximal humerus (n=1), with the Campanacci tumour grades 3 (n=6), 2 (n=2), and 1 (n=1). Specimens were immersed in 80 % phenol for one, 3, 6, and 10 minutes, and were assessed by a single pathologist for irreversible cell death and the depth of phenol penetration.


RESULTS
Phenol caused consistent GCT cell death in 6 of the 9 specimens after 3 minutes and in all 9 specimens after 6 minutes, compared to none in controls (p<0.0001). The mean depths of phenol penetration were 15 (range, 11-20) and 19 (range, 15-25) cell thickness after 6 and 10 minutes, respectively (p<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
GCT cells immersed in 80% phenol for 6 minutes resulted in consistent cell death.
Department of Orthopaedics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
Manasseh
M
Nithyananth
Department of Pathology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
Anne Jennifer
AJ
Priscilla
Department of Orthopaedics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
P V J R C
PV
Boopalan
Department of Orthopaedics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
V T K
VT
Titus
Department of Orthopaedics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
Vernon N
VN
Lee
D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005269:Femur; D018212:Giant Cell Tumor of Bone / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013977:Tibia; D013997:Time Factors; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D010636:Phenols
giant cell tumor of bone; phenol