Giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone is a rare osteolytic tumor that typically arises in the skeletal bones of adolescents and young adults in their 20s, with a slight female predominance. While generally benign, its behavior is unpredictable. It is locally aggressive and most likely to occur at the epiphyses of long bones (femur, tibia). Less frequently, it can arise in the pelvis, vertebrae, and craniofacial bones. A small percentage of cases (1%-2%) may metastasize to the lung, but unlike a true metastatic malignancy, it has a favorable survival prognosis.

GCT of bone is characterized by localized pain, swelling, and limited range of motion.

Management traditionally relied on curettage and bone graft, but recurrence was as high as 50%. Improved aggressive curettage, high-speed burring, and use of adjuvants and bone cement have lowered the rate of recurrence. Various types of targeted therapies, surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are in use.