Giant-cell tumor of bone around the knee.

Journal and index pages often block iframe embedding. This reader keeps the evidence details in Orthonotes and leaves the source page one click away.

Abstract

[Indexed for MEDLINE] 4. Healthcare (Basel). 2026 May 18;14(10):1381. doi: 10.3390/healthcare14101381. Giant Cell Tumor of the Sacrum: A Narrative Review of Management Challenges and Modalities. Alaseem A(1), Aldosari ZA(1), Alduraibi AA(2), Alzahrani RK(2), AlNahari AS(2), AlAqeel M(1), Alshaygy I(1). Author information: (1)Department of Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia. (2)College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia. Background/Objectives: Sacral giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a rare, mostly benign but locally aggressive neoplasm that carries significant diagnostic and treatment challenges due to its anatomic complexity, proximity to sacral nerve roots as well as the blood vessels, and potential impact on bowel, bladder, sexual, and lumbopelvic function and stability. This narrative review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, classification, management strategies, outcomes, and surveillance of sacral GCTB. Methods: A focused literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar was conducted for studies published between January 2000 and January 2026, with additional manual review of reference lists. Given the rarity of the tumor and the observed heterogeneity in study designs, treatment strategies, and outcomes, the evidence was synthesized narratively. Results: Sacral GCTB mainly affects young adults with an indolent nature, often presenting late with progressive low back or buttock pain, radiculopathy, or neurological deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging is the preferred modality for determining local extent, whereas histopathologic biopsy and molecular testing remain essential for definitive diagnosis. Conventional grading systems, such as Enneking and Campanacci, have limited value in sacral disease, as anatomical extent and anticipated neurological morbidity are more relevant for treatment planning. Surgery remains the cornerstone for resectable disease, yet management plans should balance local tumor control against preservation of sacral nerve roots and mechanical stability. Denosumab, selective arterial embolization, and radiotherapy may play important roles in selected unresectable or high-morbidity cases. Local recurrence remains a major concern, and long-term surveillance is recommended because tumor relapse, treatment-related morbidity, and distant metastasis may occur late. Conclusions: Current evidence supports a multidisciplinary, individualized approach to sacral GCTB, guided by tumor extent, expected neurological morbidity, and patient-centered functional outcomes. Prospective multicenter studies are needed to refine treatment algorithms and improve risk stratification. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare14101381 PMCID: PMC13206083