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Evidence. Clarity. Practice.

© 2026 OrthoVellum. For educational purposes only.

Not medical advice. Verify clinically important information against current local guidance.

Back to Research
Level IIIMust KnowOncologyRetrospective Cohort

Evidence brief

Giant Cell Tumor Management

Giant Cell Tumor of Bone: Treatment Options

Authors
Campanacci M, Baldini N, Boriani S, Sudanese A
Journal
J Bone Joint Surg Am
Year
1987

Key Findings

  • 1

    Campanacci classification: I, II, III based on cortical involvement

  • 2

    Intralesional curettage with adjuvants standard

  • 3

    Adjuvants: phenol, liquid nitrogen, hydrogen peroxide, cement

  • 4

    Recurrence 15-25% with curettage

  • 5

    Denosumab emerging for difficult cases

Clinical Implications

Extended curettage with adjuvants is standard for most GCT. Wide resection reserved for expendable bones or recurrence. Denosumab has revolutionized management of advanced cases.

Teaching Note

Know Campanacci grades: I (well-defined margins), II (cortical expansion), III (cortical breach/soft tissue). Treatment: extended curettage + adjuvant + cement or bone graft. Wide excision: expendable bones (fibula, distal ulna), multiple recurrences. Denosumab role: neoadjuvant, unresectable, sacral.

Citation

Campanacci M et al. Giant-cell tumor of bone. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1987;69(1):106-114.

PubMed

Evidence Level

III

Level III

Retrospective comparative study or case-control study

Topics

giant cell tumorcurettagedenosumabrecurrence

Related Topics

  • Giant Cell Tumor
  • Intralesional Curettage
  • Denosumab

External Links

View on PubMed

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