title: Clinical Outcome of Treatment for Patients with Giant Cell Tumor in Spine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The treatment of giant cell tumor (GCT) is mainly performed surgically. However, GCT in spine seems difficult to treat because of the limited surgical accessibility and proximity. In this report, we analyzed the outcome of GCT treatment in spine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2000 and 2012, 19 patients received treatment for GCT in spine. Median age at their first diagnosis was 31 years, 10 patients were male, and 9 female. Fourteen tumors were located in the sacrum, 1 in cervical, 1 in thoracic and 3 in lumbar spine. As primary treatment, gross total removal (GTR) was done in 6 patients, and subtotal removal (STR) in 13 patients. Radiation therapy (RT) as an adjuvant therapy was performed in 2 cases in GTR group and 10 cases in STR group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the follow-up, 7 patients had local recurrence (36.8%). The average period until recurrence after primary treatment was 14 months. No recurrence was detected in GTR group. Recurrence was noted in 7 out of 13 patients who underwent STR. These differences were statistically significant (p=0.024). A median of recurrence free period (RFP) was 84 months. Also average RFP of the RT group was 112 months, and non-RT group was 65 months. These differences were statistically significant (p=0.041).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of choice for GCT in spine is a complete removal of tumor without neurological deficits. In case of incomplete removal, radiation therapy may be a useful adjuvant treatment modality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seon Chun
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Wonik
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Ung-Kyu
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Youn
keywords: Giant cell tumor; Radiotherapy; Recurrence