Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis

Excerpt

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) refers to a subtype of tenosynovial giant cell tumors that diffusely affect the soft tissue lining of joints and tendons. PVNS most commonly affects the knee, hip, and ankle joints and is insidious in onset, with symptoms often being present for years before diagnosis. Furthermore, PVNS is more aggressive compared to the other major subtype of tenosynovial giant cell tumors, giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCT-TS). According to a 1980 report, PVNS affects roughly 9.2 new people per million in the United States each year. Even after treatment, the recurrence rate of PVNS ranges from 14 to 55%.