Giant cell tumors of the sphenoid bone.

Giant cell tumors of the sphenoid are rare; there are 36 previously reported cases. We report two cases of these tumors in women in their thirties, both associated with pregnancy. In the first patient, the tumor was removed via a transnasal transsphenoidal approach. In the second patient, a Le Fort maxillotomy was required. In these cases, an interoperative diagnosis was made, and in both, this diagnosis directed surgical tactics towards a more radical excision. Reported experience with the outcome of giant cell tumors in other sites suggest that total removal by curettage is the ideal treatment; the main principle is to prevent local recurrence because the metastatic potential of this tumor is low. A combination of surgery and radiotherapy is essential for giant cell tumors occurring in sites where access is difficult, such as the sphenoid bone. Previous objections to radiotherapy have included poor response rate and malignant change. Recent studies suggest that neither of these problems is significant when modern therapeutic techniques are employed.