William D. Tap, MD, Chief of the Sarcoma Medical Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the signs and symptoms of tenosynovial giant cell tumors (TGCT).
TGCT are a group of rare, benign tumors that involve the synovium, bursae, and tendon sheath. While these tumors are benign, they can grow and cause extreme damage to the surrounding tissues.
As Dr. Tap explains, swelling, pain, and decreased range of motion are common amongst TGCT patients. Course of treatment is decided partially on how well each option could alleviate these symptoms. Joint destruction is also a concern that orthopedic surgeons must take into consideration. Medical oncologists often become involved once a patient and their orthopedic oncologist decide surgery is no longer a sustainable treatment option.
To learn more about rare condition, visit our TGCT Learning Center here.