28th August 2025

Giant cell tumours: what do we need to know about them and how to help?

Giant cell tumors are rare bone growths that are usually considered benign but can be aggressive and cause pain. They raise a number of questions. Can they become malignant? At what ages do they occur most often and how do they differ from other tumors such as osteosarcoma? In addition to health challenges, sufferers often face financial difficulties associated with treatment.

Charities and specialist crowdfunding platforms such as PavelAndreev.ORG can provide real support and hope for people diagnosed with giant cell tumours.

What is a giant cell tumour?

Giant cell tumours are growths that originate mainly from bone tissue. They are often also called 'giant cell tumour of bone' because of their characteristic appearance. The main characteristic of this type of formation is the presence of large, multinucleated giant cells that can destroy bone. In most cases, giant cell tumours develop in the epiphyses of long bones (for example, around the knee - in the femur or tibia), but they can also occur in other parts of the body.

This type of tumour is rare and benign, but tends to grow aggressively and cause local pain, swelling and even deformities. Symptoms include pain in the affected area, limited mobility, swelling and bone fragility. In some cases, the pain may intensify during physical activity or even at rest.

Is a giant cell tumour life-threatening?

It is important to note that giant cell tumors do not always metastasize or spread the disease to other parts of the body. However, in a certain percentage of cases, a more aggressive course can be observed, and sometimes even transformation into a malignant form - then we are talking about giant cell cancer. Timely diagnosis and treatment is important, which includes surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, depending on the severity of the case.

In other words, not every formation of this type is directly life-threatening, but some can cause serious functional impairment, pain and even disability if not adequately treated. In rare cases where the tumour has malignant characteristics or recurs repeatedly after treatment, the risk to the life of the affected person may be increased.

Where are giant cell tumours most commonly found?

Giant cell tumours are mainly located in the long bones of the extremities. They are most commonly found around the knee joint - at the lower end of the femur or at the upper end of the tibia. In addition, they can be found in the bones of the hands and with a lower frequency occur in the spine and pelvis.

Interestingly, these tumors tend to develop in areas where bone growth is almost complete. This explains why they are most commonly found in young people or those of active age when bone growth is coming to an end.

What is the difference between an osteosarcoma and a giant cell tumor?

Osteosarcoma is one of the most common malignant bone tumors, while giant cell tumor is usually benign or borderline.

Osteosarcomas mostly affect young people, often developing during a period of intense bone growth. They are aggressive tumors with the potential to metastasize, most commonly to the lungs or other organs.

Giant cell tumours, on the other hand, are more common in young or middle-aged people after bone growth has been completed. This type of tumour is characterised by the presence of giant multinucleated cells that destroy the bone structure but usually do not metastasise.

The main difference between the two tumors is in their nature, aggressiveness and approach to treatment. Osteosarcoma requires aggressive therapy, whereas in the case of giant cell tumour, localised surgical interventions are usually sufficient.

Can giant cell tumours be malignant?

Most giant cell tumors are benign but aggressive. Cases of giant cell cancer, a malignant form of these tumors, are relatively rare. However, when a malignant growth occurs, the tumor can spread and cause serious complications. Therefore, timely diagnosis, regular check-ups and adequate therapy are of utmost importance.

Modern methods of imaging, biopsy and genetic analysis allow more precise differentiation between benign, borderline and malignant forms. Treatment may include surgical removal of the affected bone, reconstructive surgery, radiotherapy and even chemotherapy if a malignant component is present.

At what age do giant cell tumours most commonly occur?

It is common for giant cell tumors to occur in the age range between 20 and 40 years, when bone growth is near completion or has already stopped. However, this does not exclude the possibility that they may occur in other age groups.

What are the needs of people with giant cell tumours?

People affected by giant cell tumours have different needs. First of all, they need adequate and timely medical care - accurate diagnosis, proper treatment planning, surgical interventions and post-operative rehabilitation. Very often, therapy is complex and may involve a team of specialists: orthopaedists, oncologists, rehabilitation specialists, psychologists.

In addition to the medical side, patients and their families also need psychological support. The stress of a tumour diagnosis, whether benign or malignant, is enormous. Often people need to talk to psychologists, self-help groups and share experiences.

Financial support is also critical. Treatment for such diseases is often expensive - operations, implants, drugs, physiotherapy, trips to specialist clinics, hospital stays. Often these costs are beyond the means of a household. This is where charities, various donation campaigns and crowdfunding platforms come to the rescue, facilitating the fundraising process.

How are funds raised for people with giant cell tumours?

In today's digital world, opportunities to provide financial assistance to patients are more accessible than ever. Online donations, fundraising campaigns and charities play a key role in raising the funds needed for treatment. Patients and their loved ones can start campaigns to support. Through social media and dedicated crowdfunding platforms, these campaigns reach a wide range of people willing to help.

In addition to individual donors, many charities focus specifically on helping patients with rare or severe diseases, including giant cell tumors. They organise a variety of initiatives - concerts, charity dinners, sporting events, auctions - to draw the public's attention to a particular patient or group of patients and provide funds for their treatment.

Start a campaign on PavelAndreev.ORG.

Charity events to support people suffering from giant cell tumors

Charity events offer a great opportunity to combine social engagement and enjoyable experiences for invited guests. Charity events can be of a different nature - sports races with a charity entry fee, concerts by popular performers, exhibitions, auctions of items of historical or emotional value. The aim of such events is not only to raise funds, but also to attract public attention and sympathy to the problems of people suffering from these diseases.

Charity events play a key role in raising awareness by using direct contact with the public, explanatory materials and personal stories of patients. These approaches are particularly important because spreading the word about specific diseases often encourages a greater willingness to help and donate. In this way, events become an effective platform for bringing together different people, organisations and institutions.

Why choose the crowdfunding platform PavelAndreev.ORG?

Nowadays, there are many opportunities to launch online donation campaigns, but choosing a reliable platform is key to success. The crowdfunding platform PavelAndreev.ORG specializes in organizing donation campaigns for people in need, including those with rare and serious diseases such as giant cell tumors.

The reasons to choose PavelAndreev.ORG are numerous:

• Transparency and trust. Donors can make sure that the money they give is really helping a specific person or cause.

• Easy communication: Through the platform, it is possible to post updates on the patient's condition, treatment progress, costs, and to keep in regular contact with donors.

• Creating a community. This builds a community of empathetic donors and encourages mutual support.

• Flexibility and ease of access: the platform allows intuitive campaign launch and management without the need for specialized technical skills.

Launching a donation campaign through the PavelAndreev.ORG platform to support a man with a giant cell tumor

The process of launching a campaign is easy, but the key to success is clear and compelling communication with the community. Here are a few steps that can serve as a guide to building a successful donation campaign:

1. Start a campaign: launch a campaign on the PavelAndreev.ORG platform. The platform has a user-friendly interface, and launching your initiative only takes a few minutes.

2. Description of the situation.

3. Adding pictures: visual materials help donors to connect emotionally with the story of the sick person. They create a stronger impact by giving a face to the cause, helping to better understand the situation and instilling confidence and empathy.

4. Social sharing. Encourage friends, family and colleagues to spread the word so it reaches as many potential donors as possible.

5. Regular updates: keep donors informed of developments in the case. Whether it's a successful surgery, progress in rehabilitation, or new donations coming in, maintaining regular communication with your audience instills confidence and provides motivation for new donations.

6. Gratitude to donors: every contribution is appreciated. Express gratitude and show that every donation makes a difference. Donors appreciate this attitude and are often more willing to help again.

Giant cell tumors, while not as common as some other cancers, can cause serious health problems and emotional distress. They can be both benign and, in rare cases, degenerate into giant cell cancer. They occur primarily in young adults, but not exclusively. They are most often localized in the long bones, especially around the knee. The difference between these and osteosarcomas is important for proper treatment and patient prognosis.

People suffering from giant cell tumors need comprehensive help - adequate treatment, psychological support and financial stability. This is where online donations, charities and philanthropic campaigns come into play. The crowdfunding platform PavelAndreev.ORG provides a reliable, transparent and easy way to raise funds to help those in need. Through it, anyone can start a donation initiative, reach a wide audience and provide real support to people with severe health problems.

Join the cause and help today - every help counts! Start a campaign on the PavelAndreev.ORG platform and help people with giant cell tumors get adequate treatment and support!

Start a campaign