Case Report: Malignant transformation of maxillary giant cell tumor of bone from EURACAN reference center

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a benign but locally aggressive neoplasm that can rarely undergo malignant transformation, with a poor prognosis. The most frequent histotypes of the sarcomatous transformation of GCTB are osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, and th...

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Main Authors: Federica Riva, Sabrina Vari, Concetta Elisa Onesti, Renato Covello, Silvia Scuderi, Serena Ceddia, Maria Rosaria Fiore, Vincenzo Anelli, Sabino Strippoli, Virginia Ferraresi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1604056/full
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author Federica Riva
Sabrina Vari
Concetta Elisa Onesti
Renato Covello
Silvia Scuderi
Serena Ceddia
Maria Rosaria Fiore
Vincenzo Anelli
Sabino Strippoli
Virginia Ferraresi
author_facet Federica Riva
Sabrina Vari
Concetta Elisa Onesti
Renato Covello
Silvia Scuderi
Serena Ceddia
Maria Rosaria Fiore
Vincenzo Anelli
Sabino Strippoli
Virginia Ferraresi
author_sort Federica Riva
collection DOAJ
description Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a benign but locally aggressive neoplasm that can rarely undergo malignant transformation, with a poor prognosis. The most frequent histotypes of the sarcomatous transformation of GCTB are osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, and the treatment approach mirrors that of high-grade sarcomas. This case report describes the malignant transformation of a maxillary GCTB treated with standard systemic treatments for bone tumors and local treatment, resulting in a progression of disease until the patient’s death. Nevertheless, a marked radiological and clinical response was achieved with local carbon ion therapy. This case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of malignant transformation of GCTB, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach at specialized centers and the potential role of local therapies in selected cases.
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Oncology
spelling doaj-art-b1d6eef26d7945e7a502f6a51842e6cb2025-08-20T03:12:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-07-011510.3389/fonc.2025.16040561604056Case Report: Malignant transformation of maxillary giant cell tumor of bone from EURACAN reference centerFederica Riva0Sabrina Vari1Concetta Elisa Onesti2Renato Covello3Silvia Scuderi4Serena Ceddia5Maria Rosaria Fiore6Vincenzo Anelli7Sabino Strippoli8Virginia Ferraresi9UOSD Sarcomas and Rare Tumors, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyUOSD Sarcomas and Rare Tumors, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, ItalyUOSD Sarcomas and Rare Tumors, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Pathology, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, ItalyUOSD Sarcomas and Rare Tumors, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, ItalyRadiation Oncology Unit, Clinical Department, CNAO National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy, Pavia, ItalyRadiology Department, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, ItalyRare Tumors and Melanoma Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, ItalyUOSD Sarcomas and Rare Tumors, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, ItalyGiant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a benign but locally aggressive neoplasm that can rarely undergo malignant transformation, with a poor prognosis. The most frequent histotypes of the sarcomatous transformation of GCTB are osteosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, and the treatment approach mirrors that of high-grade sarcomas. This case report describes the malignant transformation of a maxillary GCTB treated with standard systemic treatments for bone tumors and local treatment, resulting in a progression of disease until the patient’s death. Nevertheless, a marked radiological and clinical response was achieved with local carbon ion therapy. This case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of malignant transformation of GCTB, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach at specialized centers and the potential role of local therapies in selected cases.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1604056/fullgiant cell tumor of bonesarcomamalignant transformationhadrontherapycase report
spellingShingle Federica Riva
Sabrina Vari
Concetta Elisa Onesti
Renato Covello
Silvia Scuderi
Serena Ceddia
Maria Rosaria Fiore
Vincenzo Anelli
Sabino Strippoli
Virginia Ferraresi
Case Report: Malignant transformation of maxillary giant cell tumor of bone from EURACAN reference center
Frontiers in Oncology
giant cell tumor of bone
sarcoma
malignant transformation
hadrontherapy
case report
title Case Report: Malignant transformation of maxillary giant cell tumor of bone from EURACAN reference center
title_full Case Report: Malignant transformation of maxillary giant cell tumor of bone from EURACAN reference center
title_fullStr Case Report: Malignant transformation of maxillary giant cell tumor of bone from EURACAN reference center
title_full_unstemmed Case Report: Malignant transformation of maxillary giant cell tumor of bone from EURACAN reference center
title_short Case Report: Malignant transformation of maxillary giant cell tumor of bone from EURACAN reference center
title_sort case report malignant transformation of maxillary giant cell tumor of bone from euracan reference center
topic giant cell tumor of bone
sarcoma
malignant transformation
hadrontherapy
case report
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1604056/full
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