Wound healing is not required and therefore chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be instituted immediately after percutaneous needle biopsy. In experienced hands, percutaneous needle biopsy is just as accurate as open biopsy in providing a diagnosis. Freezing with liquid nitrogen results in the death of tumor cells. It is important to prevent local recurrence as local recurrence can lead to amputation or wide resection requiring a metal prosthesis. Local recurrence of giant cell tumors may result in lung metastases.
Complications are minimal.
Cryosurgery enables adequate treatment of these tumors and minimizes the risk of local recurrence. It permits preservation of the patients own bone and joint. Resection and prosthetic reconstruction or amputation can be avoided. Dr. Ralph Marcove developed and pioneered the technique for the treatment of bone tumors. There are few orthopaedic oncologists who have been trained in this technique and only the select few who have trained with Dr. Ralph Marcove or his students routinely use cryosurgery in the treatment of these tumors.