[Treatment and prognosis of giant cell tumor in the sacrum--study of Bone Tumor Registry in Japan].

The prognosis of giant cell tumors arising in the sacrum is difficult to ascertain. Because of the low incidence in Japan there are scanty statistics. We selected 14 cases from the Bone Tumor Registry in Japan. Questionnaires were sent to hospitals which had submitted cases, regarding Enneking's staging, surgical approach, surgical procedure, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, complications and prognosis of this tumor. The results of the questionnaire show that surgery alone gives better results than combined surgery and radiotherapy. Good prognosis called for surgery alone. Curettage resulted in no evidence of disease (NED) in four cases. Bad prognosis called for combined surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. If we surmise from the biological behavior of the giant cell tumor, that the tumor mass extends out extraosseously en-bloc excision with nerve roots is indicated. Extensive curettage will be adequate if the tumor is confined intraosseously. Radiotherapy should not be selected except for inoperative cases.