TGCT is typically diagnosed between 20-50 years of age. However, TGCT can occur at any age and may affect children. Pediatric patients are defined as patients who is a minor receiving medical care. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines pediatrics as any individual under the age of 21. Skeletally immature means a pediatric patient has open growth plates and may continue to grow. Female pediatric patients reach skeletal maturity at 16-17 years of age, while male pediatric patients reach skeletal maturity at 17-18 years of age, with some variation based on the individual.
There are different unique considerations for skeletally immature and skeletally mature patients with TGCT.
Approximately 1-2 pediatric patients per million are diagnosed with localized or diffuse TGCT (1). Many similarities in TGCT are shared in adults and pediatrics. For instance, the most common joint affected by TGCT in pediatric patients is the knee. Symptoms due to TGCT also do not differ. Pediatric patients report similar levels of pain, swelling, stiffness, and limitations to range of motion.
Recurrence rates following surgery are similar between pediatric patients and adults. Mastboom and colleagues reported that the recurrence rate in a 2-year period for pediatric patients and adults with diffuse TGCT was 44% and 47%, respectively. The recurrence rate in a 2-year period for pediatric patients and adults with localized TGCT was 15% and 11%, respectively. Surgical procedure did not differ among pediatrics and adults and majority of patients had open surgeries.
To learn more about the treatment considerations related to pediatric patients with TGCT, watch our TGCT in the Youngest Patients webinar.
