Giant cell tumour associated with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The presence of giant cell tumor of the joint or tendon sheath is documented in 5 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The first patient presented with an invasive and destructive tumor of one proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint coincident with the recent onset of severe erosive rheumatoid disease. In the other patients the rheumatoid arthritis preceeded by 1 to 10 yr the appearance of the tumor in a PIP joint or in the flexor tendon sheaths of the hand. These tumor masses were all initially confused with either rheumatoid nodules or synovitis. Giant cell tumors must be included in the differential diagnosis of localized masses or bone and joint destruction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.