Giant Cell Tumour of Metacarpal with Pulmonary and Skeletal Metastases

Abstract

A case of giant cell tumour of the left fifth metacarpal with pulmonary and skeletal metastases is reported with follow-up of 14 years. The pulmonary metastases were treated by chemotherapy, but the size of the metastatic nodules continued to increase, and no further treatment was given. The pulmonary metastatic nodules started to regress 8 years after the diagnosis without any treatment, and had disappeared after 14 years. The skeletal metastases were unchanged at the latest follow-up. Both pulmonary and skeletal metastases have been asymptomatic for the 14 years after they were diagnosed.

It is suggested that pulmonary metastases of benign giant cell tumour has a good long-term prognosis and these patients should be kept under observation only, avoiding extensive lobectomy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.