Every person who has TGCT (also known as pigmented villonodular synovitis [PVNS]) will have a different experience of this disease. Whether you're dealing with the diffuse or nodular-type, many of the symptoms can be similar. However, it's important to remember that these symptoms can vary widely from person to person.1,2
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Pain1 
STIFFNESS1 
LIMITED RANGEOF MOTION1
Understanding range of motion (ROM)
- Range of motion refers to how far a joint or body part can move and bend in different directions. It is usually measured in degrees of a circle as shown1,2
- TGCT can sometimes impact range of motion3
- Physiotherapy can help to restore strength and range of motion in joints.4,5
Learn more here
Example: knee joint2
1. The Central Orthopedic Group. Range of Motion: What You Need to Know. Available at: https://centralorthopedicgroup.com/blog/diagnosis-testing/range-of-motion-what-you-need-to-know/. Last accessed: September 2026. 2. Rowe PJ, et al. Gait Posture. 2000;12(2):143–155. 3. Stern S, et al. Future Oncol. 2025;21(12):1501–1510. 4. Dutta S, et al. Cureus. 2024;16(2):e54877. 5. NHS. Physical exercise. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/. Last accessed: September 2026.
JOINT LOCKING1 
SWELLING1 In some cases, a person can be diagnosed with TGCT but not experience any symptoms – this is known as asymptomatic TGCT.1
Click here to find out moreabout asymptomatic TGCT
LIVING WITH TGCT
A number of studies have shown the negative impact of TGCT on those living with the disease,
both physically and mentally:3–5
experienced pain*5
experienced joint stiffness*5
experienced limited range
of motion*5
experienced at least
moderate anxiety or
depression†4
TGCT HAS ALSO SHOWN TO AFFECT
PROFESSIONAL AND SOCIAL LIFE:
were unable to take part
in sport activities*3
changed job or had
to retire early*5
These statistics are from international studies on the challenges of living with diffuse and nodular TGCT, as reported by patients.3–5 You can find more details about these statistics below. The symbols next to the percentages show which information they refer to.
*In this study, approximately 70% of participants with TGCT had the diffuse type and 20% had the nodular type.3,5 It is worth noting that this may not reflect real-world cases, where the diffuse form is usually less common.1,5
†This statistic is from a study in which all cases were diffuse-type TGCT.4
Real experiences,
real support.
Meet patients who are living with TGCT. Watch these videos to learn more about their stories. You can also visit our Patients Stories page to hear from others affected by TGCT.
Andreas: My Initial TGCT Symptoms
Click here to learn about how TGCT is diagnosed References:
- Stacchiotti S, et al. Cancer Treat Rev. 2023;112:102491.
- Berthnal NM, et al. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2021;16(1):191.
- Mastboom MJL, et al. Interact J Med Res. 2018;7(1):e4.
- Lopez-Bastida J, et al. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2021;16(1):294.
- Stern S, et al. Future Oncol. 2025:1–10.
DCPH-P02569 | September 2026