Diagnostic and therapeutic problems of giant cell tumor in the proximal femur.

Primaly giant cell tumor of bone (GCT) in the proximal femur is relatively rare, and can prove difficult to diagnose, and can require therapeutic methods. Subjects comprised 10 patients (8 males, 2 females). Mean patient age was 27.5 years, and mean follow-up was 89.9 months. Tumors in the present study were limited to H1 and H2 according to the International Society of Limb Salvage (ISOLS) system. All patients received surgical treatment only. Second surgery after preoperative open biopsy was performed for two patients, while the remaining eight patients received excisional biopsy to determine treatment methods using rapid intraoperative pathological examination of frozen sections. The mean functional score was 28.2 out of 30 (93.9%). Local recurrence was observed in two patients. The long-term follow-up reveals that one of the important problem is pre-operative diagnosis. Excisional biopsy is effective for surgery of GCT in the proximal femur.