Anyone Have Any Experience with a Giant Cell Granuloma...?

Hi Mamas:
My sweet 5 year old daughter has been diagnosed with a giant cell granuloma on her gum. It is a benign tumor (thank God!), but is the agressive type. She had surgery to remove it once but unfortunately, it returned within 6 months. Now her oral surgeon has decided that the best course of action is a series of injections (yikes!) into the tumor. AS you can imagine, I am not looking forward to this, however I will of course do what is best for my baby girl. I was just wondering if anyone out there had any expeirence with this type of therapy - it's 1 corticosteroid shot into her little mouth 1 time per month for 6 months. Let me know if anyone has experience and what I should expect. Thanks so much mamams! -M.

Respond to Question

What can I do next?

Add your own comment
Ask your own question
Join the Mamapedia community
Report this as inappropriate
Share this with your friends

Write M.P. a private message
Read more that M.P. has written
Browse local questions
Is this helpful? Yes | No

More Answers

C.A. answers from Los Angeles on January 23, 2009

This is not what you want to hear-but, sometimes we all need tough love. Be glad it is benign, because the alternative is hell. i know, my son had a malignant brain tumor, and I never thought Ii would hope for anything to be benign. 1 shot a month is nothing.....be thankful and pray for your GOOD fortune.

1 mom found this helpful

Helpful? Yes | No Report This Share

J.C. answers from San Diego on January 23, 2009

I am not sure if this would help, but you could try logging onto the website for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and look there for information on that type of tumor. If they can't help you, they probably know of someone who can. Best of luck in your situation. I am sorry that your family has to go through that.

Helpful? Yes | No Report This Share

C.A. answers from Los Angeles on January 23, 2009

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripheral_giant_cell_granuloma has a brief description of the condition and it is usually in older people over 50, 60% of whom are female. Also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_giant_cell_granuloma is another form for young adults. My son had a keloid which is a scar that was caused by the removal of a growth on his shoulder blade. The dermatologist tried to flatten the keloid with monthly injections of steroids, which sounds just like the treatment your oral surgeon is doing. My son had no side effects except that the shots were painful as there were multiple injection sites within the lesion. He was 12 at the time and complained. I can't imagine what a 5 year old would do. Did you get a second opinion?

Helpful? Yes | No Report This Share

T.T. answers from Los Angeles on January 23, 2009

Hello, M.,

Please consider another much safer option.

I would be honored to help you.

My very best,

www.myliveearth.net/T.

Helpful? Yes | No Report This Share

I.T. answers from San Diego on January 23, 2009

M.,

I'm sorry you're going through this. I can just imagine how you feel at the thought of taking her in every month for a shot in her gums! The silver lining is that once the shot is given, there is a good chance she may not experience much more discomfort than what the granuloma might already be causing. If anything maybe a little soreness, which has got to be better, many times over than having an open wound from surgery. I wish you and your little one the best. I hope the treatment works and, God willing, it will soon be a thing of the past.
-I.

Helpful? Yes | No Report This Share

signup