Giant Cell Tumour Of The Clivus
My 15 year old daughter, Rachael was diagnosed with Giant cell tumour of the Clivus in September 2008. Due to the rarity of this condition I decided to create this web site.
The purpose of the site was to give others information about this type of tumour.
Information: Giant cell tumours are rare, approximately one person in a million will get this type of tumour. They normally account for 20% of primary bone tumours. They usually present themselves in long bones, the leg or arm, at the knee or wrist (Osteoclastoma). They are very aggressive tumours which spread locally and mostly tend to be benign. They are also very unpredictable. Therefore very difficult to treat
Unfortunately when they occur in the clivus, (bone in the skull). they are rare. Since starting this web site two years ago, we know of three other cases worldwide. Therefore there is little information for anyone out there with this type of tumour. We feel there are more unreported cases, hence the web site.
The clivus is the surface of a portion of the occipital and sphenoid bones in the base of the skull. It is surrounded by the neurovascular structures of the brain stem, as well as both internal carotid arteries. Since this tumour encroaches on the temporal lobe and pituarity gland it is classed as a brain tumour.
