How is TENOSYNOVIAL GIANT CELL TUMOR (TGCT) treated?
TGCT is often treated with surgery. Doctors may also recommend an active surveillance approach to monitor disease progression.
Surgery isn’t right for everyone, and not all tumors can be removed safely. The chance of recurrence is high for people who have diffuse TGCT or have had recurrence after surgery.
Each additional surgery increases risks of complications and other health challenges.
Recurrence can cause people to get stuck in a cycle of surgeries that interrupts their lives, so it's important to consider the risks and benefits of each treatment when choosing a path forward.
DIFFUSE TGCT RECURRENCE RATE
up to
55
%
The good news?
You have more options
beyond surgery.
Doctors may recommend active surveillance to monitor disease progression, if you aren't having TGCT symptoms or if they are mild.
Oral prescription options exist and more research in this area is ongoing. The choice between surgery and prescription treatment is up to you and your doctor, and the decision can be made based on physical or non-physical reasons. There is limited evidence to support the use of radiation, so it's not usually recommended for TGCT.
When deciding on your TGCT treatment with your doctor, be sure to ask about how well it shrinks tumors, reduces pain, and joint stiffness, as well as its ability to increase your range of motion (ROM). Any side effects, as well as how treatment fits into your daily life, are also important.
BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE FOR WHAT'S BEST FOR YOUR TGCT
Living with the burden of TGCT doesn't have to be your only option. Ask for a referral to a center with a multidisciplinary care team of oncologists, orthopedic oncologists, radiologists, physical therapists, and others that treat TGCT or similar diseases at the time of diagnosis. Then you can work with the team to help create an individualized care plan that's right for you.
Since TGCT is rare, not all doctors have encountered it—so it's important to speak with an oncologist or TGCT treater for guidance.
