Giant cell tumor of bone in childhood: clinical aspects and novel therapeutic targets.

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a rare primary bone tumor that primarily affects young adults, but can be seen in children. The primary modality of treatment is surgical resection; however, this is not always possible given the location and extent of the neoplasm. Recent developments in the understanding of the underlying molecular pathogenesis of disease have pointed to interactions between the stromal component producing receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB (RANK) and RANK-ligand (RANKL) causing the formation of osteoclast-like giant cells that drive bone destruction.