The economic and humanistic burden of tenosynovial giant cell tumor: a targeted literature review.

Aim: To understand the epidemiology, treatment patterns, economic burden, and humanistic burden of tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) in the contemporary treatment landscape.

Methods: Embase, MEDLINE, and select conferences were searched to identify studies published between 1 January 2013, and 22/23 August 2023 (database dependent) that included ≥ 20 TGCT patients (≥ 40 for humanistic burden studies). For economic outcomes and treatment patterns, data from 1 January 2008, and later were included.

Results: A total of 35 studies were included. The incidence of TGCT was < 50 cases/million person-years. Surgery was the most common treatment, for which recurrence rates were up to 67%. While quality of life improved after surgery in the absence of recurrence, repeat surgeries for persistent symptoms or recurrent tumors negatively impacted quality of life and inflicted a high economic burden. Systemic therapies were effective and overall improved patient symptoms and quality of life. Treatment was multidisciplinary and involved orthopedic surgeons and medical oncologists as well as supplemental care such as physical therapy.

Conclusion: TGCT has a high burden, which can be exacerbated by repeat surgeries. Systemic therapies may improve disease and quality of life outcomes in some patients with tumors that are locally advanced or in complicated anatomical locations.