Postoperative irrigation with bisphosphonates may reduce the recurrence of giant cell tumor of bone

• Published in: Medical hypotheses Vol. 81; no. 5; pp. 851 - 852
• Main Authors: Yang, Tao, Zheng, Xiao-Fei, Lin, Xi, Yin, Qing-Shui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2013
• Subjects: Diphosphonates - administration & dosage; Diphosphonates - therapeutic use; Giant Cell Tumor of Bone - prevention & control; Giant Cell Tumor of Bone - surgery; Humans; Internal Medicine; Models, Biological; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - prevention & control; Postoperative Care - methods; Therapeutic Irrigation - methods
• ISSN: 0306-9877; 1532-2777
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2013.08.002

Abstract Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a common benign bone tumor characterized by local osteolysis and high proclivity for recurrence. Surgical excision is the preferred treatment. However, simple wide resection may cause functional and cosmetic deformities of the skeleton. Currently, intralesional curettage with adjuvant therapy is a popular treatment. Bisphosphonates are recommended as an effective adjuvant treatment, and their antitumor effects have been proved in laboratory studies. During clinical treatment, intravenous and peroral administration of bisphosphonates has been attempted and has been successful in reducing the tumor recurrence rate. However, the use of bisphosphonates in GCTB adjuvant therapy requires additional study. Irrigation is a classic method for focal clearance after surgery. Therefore, we hypothesize that postoperative irrigation with bisphosphonates may be a safe and effective treatment for GCTB. The efficacy and safety of this method are worthy of further investigation.