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TGCT is known by two types. If you have TGCT, it’s important to understand the differences
between the two types and how each can affect your life.

Click a tab below to learn about
diffuse or localized TGCT symptoms and features.

DIFFUSE TGCT
(PVNS) LOCALIZED TGCT
(GCT-TS)
Symptoms and disease features
Diffuse TGCT: 10% to 20% of all TGCT cases
Diffused TGCT locations, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and ankles
Tumor locations
  • Tumors are most
    commonly seen in
    large joints.
  • Tumors most often
    occur in the knee.
  • Tumors also can
    occur in joints like
    the hip, ankle, elbow,
    and shoulder.
The circles represent common locations of diffuse TGCT. The large circle indicates the joint affected most commonly. Typically, only one joint is affected at a time.
Common symptoms
  • Pain and tenderness.
  • Locking of joint.
  • Swelling (can be due to excess blood and
    fluid in the joint).
  • Limited movement in joint (range of motion).
Features and recurrence (growing back
after treatment)
  • Tumors are usually larger than 5 centimeters
    (larger than 2 inches).*
  • The borders of the tumors are not easy to
    see (in surgery).
  • Tumors typically grow in the spaces
    between joints and in tissues that line and
    surround joints.
  • In some people, the disease may be linked
    to joint problems that get worse over time.
  • Tumors mostly affect one joint and grow
    slowly over time.
  • Tumors can recur after surgery in up to
    55% of patients.

An AA battery is about 5 centimeters (or about 2 inches) long.

Age and sex
  • It tends to affect younger people, but it can
    occur in people of any age.
  • It is most often seen in adults under 40 years
    of age.
  • It has been reported to be more common in
    women than in men.

Diffuse tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT)
developing in a knee joint

TGCT developing in a knee joint
Working around the paina If I know I’m going out Saturday night, I’m not going to go grocery shopping Saturday; I’m going grocery shopping on Sunday because [if I go shopping Saturday, then]
I can’t walk Saturday night.” —Woman with recurrent, diffuse TGCT in ankle

a TGCT impacts everyone differently. This information is not meant to reflect the experience of all patients who have TGCT.

TGCT fast facts
Our fact sheets cover basic information about diffuse and localized TGCT. Please download
them to help you, friends, or family members—really anyone in your life—learn more about
these rare tumors and how they may affect you.
Download
diffuse TGCT fast facts
Download
localized TGCT fast facts
See how TGCT is diagnosed. arrow-right
Symptoms and disease features
Localized TGCT: 80% to 90% of all TGCT cases
Localized TGCT locations, wrists, fingers, knees, and ankles.
Tumor locations
  • Tumors are commonly
    seen in small joints.
  • Tumors most often
    occur in the fingers
    and toes.
  • Tumors also can
    occur in other joints,
    like the wrist, ankle,
    foot, knee, elbow,
    or hip.
The circles represent common locations of localized TGCT. The large circle indicates the joint affected most commonly. Typically, only one joint is affected at a time.
Common symptoms
  • Swelling without pain (most common).
  • Pain that develops as the tumors grow
    (in some patients).
  • Limited movement in joint (in some patients),
    also called limited range of motion.
Features and recurrence (growing back
after treatment)
  • Tumors have a somewhat rounded, small
    shape; the borders of the tumors are easy
    to see (in surgery).
  • Larger tumors can appear in larger joints.
  • Tumors mostly affect one joint and grow
    slowly over time.
  • In rare cases, tumors may lead to damage
    of nearby joint or bone, or they can affect
    the skin.
  • Tumors can recur after removal by surgery
    in up to 15% of patients.
Age and sex
  • It is typically seen in people 30 to 50 years of
    age, but it can occur in people of any age.
  • It has been reported to be 1.5 to 2 times more
    common in women than in men.

TGCT fast facts
Our fact sheets cover basic information about diffuse and localized TGCT. Please download
them to help you, friends, or family members—really anyone in your life—learn more about
these rare tumors and how they may affect you.
Download
diffuse TGCT fast facts
Download
localized TGCT fast facts
See how TGCT is diagnosed. arrow-right
United States
Europe

This website provides information about TGCT. It is not intended to replace your healthcare team or
especially your doctor, who is the best source of information about your care.

This website provides information about TGCT.
It is not intended to replace your healthcare team or especially your doctor, who is the best source of information about your care.

Non–Daiichi Sankyo brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
© 2022 Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. PP-US-TGCT-0054 08/22