Inoperable giant cell tumor of the sacrum: Therapeutic options and pain control

Abstract

Sacral giant cell tumor is rare and its treatment is complex, due to the difficulty for surgical exeresis and to the low response to other therapeutic options. Among the challenges related to this tumor are the control of its growth and pain. In the present work, we report a case of an inoperable giant cell tumor of the sacrum presenting the therapeutic options of embolization and radiotherapy for pain control. We report the case of a male patient, 39 years old, presenting with pain in the sacral region with irradiation to the lower limbs, with an inoperable sacral giant cell tumor. Embolization, radiotherapy, pain management with opioids, others drugs, and a rehabilitation program were performed. We describe the difficult control of the growth of the tumor and of the pain during the follow-up, with a stable outcome after 9 years.