Pulmonary metastasis of recurrent giant-cell tumor in proximal humerus: a case report

Aris Kurniawan (Department of Orthopaedic & Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sebelas Maret, Dr. Moewardi General Hospital, Prof. Dr. R. Soeharso Orthopaedic Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Mujaddid Idulhaq (Department of Orthopaedic & Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sebelas Maret, Dr. Moewardi General Hospital, Prof. Dr. R. Soeharso Orthopaedic Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Pamudji Utomo (Department of Orthopaedic & Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sebelas Maret, Dr. Moewardi General Hospital, Prof. Dr. R. Soeharso Orthopaedic Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Ambar Mudigdo (Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia)
Handry Tri Handojo (Department of Radiology, Prof. Dr. R. Soeharso Orthopaedic Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia)

JKKI : Jurnal Kedokteran dan Kesehatan Indonesia
JKKI, Vol 10, No 2, (2019)

Giant-cell tumour  (GCT) of the bone is a benign neoplasm which commonly occurs in the distal femur, proximal tibia, and distal radius. The proximal humerus is a relatively rare site of occurrence, with a prevalence rate of 4%. We report a case of a 40 years-old male with a recurrent GCT of the proximal humerus. Wide excision and hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder was performed. However, the tumour recurred. Asymptomatic metastasis to the right lower lobe of the lung was found on plain radiograph. We suggest that multiple surgeries would increase the risk of local recurrence of GCT that will lead to pulmonary metastasis.