Extraskeletal neoplasm resembling Ewing's sarcoma

This article reviews the pathologic features and the behavior of 39 small, round, or oval cell sarcomas occurring in the soft tissues and considered histologically indistinguishable from Ewing's sarcoma of bone. The tumors affected chiefly young adults (median age 20 years) and most commonly involved the soft tissues of the lower extremity and the paravertebral region. Microscopically, they consisted of solidly packed small, round, or ovoid cells of great uniformity, arranged in sheets or lobules separated by strands of fibrous connective tissue. The nucleus of the tumor cells contained finely divided chromatin, a distinct nuclear membrane, and frequently a minute nucleolus. The scanty ill-defined cytoplasm contained varying amounts of glycogen. Sometimes the histologic picture was dominated by a "peritheliomatous" pattern, or by large areas of necrosis or hemorrhage. Followup data ranging from 1 month to 14 years were available in 35 of the 39 cases (93%). Of these, 13 were alive and 22 had died. In the majority of the fatal cases, the clinical course was rapid; metastatic lesions developed within a few months after the primary tumor was excised. The lungs and the skeleton were the two most common sites of metastasis. Cure may be achieved by wide local excision of the tumor at an early stage of the disease, combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

FDG-PET for detection of pulmonary metastases from malignant primary bone tumors: comparison with spiral CT

BACKGROUND

The purpose was the comparison of positron emission tomography using F-18-fluorodeoxy-glucose (FDG-PET) and spiral thoracic CT to detect pulmonary metastases from malignant primary osseous tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In 71 patients with histologically confirmed malignant primary bone tumors (32 osteosarcomas, 39 Ewing's sarcomas) 111 FDG-PET examinations were evaluated with regard to pulmonary/pleural metastases in comparison with spiral thoracic CT. Reference methods were the clinical follow-ups for 6-64 months (median 20 months) or a histopathologic analysis.

RESULTS

In 16 patients (23%) reference methods revealed a pulmonary/pleural metastatic disease. FDG-PET had a sensitivity of 0.50, a specificity of 0.98, and an accuracy of 0.87 on a patient based analysis. Comparable values for spiral CT were 0.75, 1.00, and 0.94. It was shown that no patient who had a true positive FDG-PET had a false negative CT scan, nor was a pulmonary metastases detected earlier by FDG-PET than by spiral CT.

CONCLUSIONS

There seems to be a superiority of spiral CT in the detection of pulmonary metastases from malignant primary bone tumors as compared with FDG-PET. Therefore, at present a negative FDG-PET cannot be recommended to exclude lung metastases. However, as specificity of FDG-PET is high, a positive FDG-PET result can be used to confirm abnormalities seen on thoracic CT scans as metastatic.

MRI and CT evaluation of primary bone and soft-tissue tumors

Twenty-six patients with primary tumors of bone or somatic soft tissues underwent both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT); 15 of the patients had radionuclide bone scans as well. Only in a minority of cases did these tomographic methods provide information needed for diagnosis that could not be derived from the plain radiographs alone; however, for assessing the extent of the disease, both CT and MRI proved very valuable, particularly MRI. Specifically, MRI was superior to CT in delineating the extent of the neoplasms and their relation to surrounding structures in 21 of the patients, equal in four, and inferior in only one. Furthermore, in the 13 patients with tumors of long bone, MRI was judged superior to CT in visualizing marrow abnormality in 12 cases, and equal in only one case. Radionuclide scans demonstrated the lesions in 14 of the 15 cases; its primary utility was in excluding additional lesions. It is concluded that for these patients, MRI was the imaging method of choice in assessing the extent of bone and soft-tissue tumors.

FDG-PET for detection of osseous metastases from malignant primary bone tumours: comparison with bone scintigraphy

The purpose of this study was to compare positron emission tomography using fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) and technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate (MDP) bone scintigraphy in the detection of osseous metastases from malignant primary osseous tumours. In 70 patients with histologically proven malignant primary bone tumours (32 osteosarcomas, 38 Ewing's sarcomas), 118 FDG-PET examinations were evaluated. FDG-PET scans were analysed with regard to osseous metastases in comparison with bone scintigraphy. The reference methods for both imaging modalities were histopathological analysis, morphological imaging [additional conventional radiography, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] and/or clinical follow-up over 6-64 months (median 20 months). In 21 examinations (18%) reference methods revealed 54 osseous metastases (49 from Ewing's sarcomas, five from osteosarcomas). FDG-PET had a sensitivity of 0.90, a specificity of 0.96 and an accuracy of 0.95 on an examination-based analysis. Comparable values for bone scintigraphy were 0.71, 0.92 and 0.88. On a lesion-based analysis the sensitivity of FDG-PET and bone scintigraphy was 0.80 and 0.72, respectively. Analysing only Ewing's sarcoma patients, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FDG-PET and bone scan were 1.00, 0.96 and 0.97 and 0.68, 0.87 and 0.82, respectively (examination-based analysis). None of the five osseous metastases from osteosarcoma were detected by FDG-PET, but all of them were true-positive using bone scintigraphy. In conclusion, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FDG-PET in the detection of osseous metastases from Ewing's sarcomas are superior to those of bone scintigraphy. However, in the detection of osseous metastases from osteosarcoma, FDG-PET seems to be less sensitive than bone scintigraphy.

Determining growth rates of focal lesions of bone from radiographs

Rate of growth divides focal lesions of bone into two classes which are largely mutually exclusive. Not all focal lesions require biopsy, and grading is especially helpful in deciding which should be biopsied and which may be safely followed. The statistical proof and logic of grading as an expression of growth rate are presented with a set of rules establishing each of the five grades in the presence of bone destruction. The radiologic signs necessary to establish rates are described and illustrated.

Evaluation of computed tomography in the detection of pulmonary metastases: a prospective study

Conventional linear x-ray tomography is often used to search for pulmonary metastases but tends to underestimate extent of disease when compared with operative findings. In a prospective study, operative findings were correlated with computed axial tomography and conventional linear tomography performed on 25 patients with a history of extrathoracic malignancy and pulmonary nodules. Computed tomography detected 69 nodules of which 31 proved to be metastases. Conventional linear tomography detected 38 nodules of which 25 were metastases. Of the 54 resected nodules measuring greater than 3 mm, computed tomography detected 42; whereas conventional tomography detected 32. Only six of the 31 additional nodules (20%) detected by computed tomography and not by conventional tomography proved to be metastases. These results suggest that computed tomography is more sensitive than conventional tomography in detecting small pulmonary nodules; however, there is diminished specificity in identifying metastatic nodules.

Evaluation of chemotherapy response in primary bone tumors with F-18 FDG positron emission tomography compared with histologically assessed tumor necrosis

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of positron emission tomography using F-18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG PET) to assess the chemotherapy response of primary osseous tumors compared with the degree of necrosis determined histologically.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seventeen patients with primary bone tumors (11 osteosarcomas, 6 Ewing's sarcomas) were examined using FDG PET and planar bone scintigraphy before neoadjuvant chemotherapy and before surgery. Tumor response was classified histologically according to Salzer-Kuntschik (grades I-II: good response; grades IV-VI: poor response). In both imaging methods, quantification was performed using tumor to nontumor ratios (T:NT).

RESULTS

Histologically, 15 patients were classified as having good responses (grade I, n = 1; grade II, n = 6; grade III, n = 8) and two as having poor responses (grades IV and V). FDG PET showed more than a 30% decrease in T:NT ratios in all patients who had good responses. However, three of these patients had increasing bone scintigraphy T:NT ratios, and another five had decreasing ratios of less than 30%. The patients with poor responses had increasing T:NT ratios and decreasing ratios of less than 30%, respectively, using both imaging methods.

CONCLUSIONS

FDG PET seems to be a promising tool for evaluating the response of primary osseous tumors to chemotherapy. In this preliminary study, FDG PET was superior to planar bone scintigraphy.

Expandable endoprosthesis reconstruction in skeletally immature patients with tumors

Between September 1984 and January 1996, 32 expandable endoprostheses were used for limb reconstruction after resection of malignant bone tumors in patients who were skeletally immature. The 20 boys and 12 girls ranged in age from 3 to 15 years (mean, 9.7 years). One patient had a Stage IIA tumor, 22 patients had Stage IIB tumors, and seven patients had Stage III tumors according to the classification of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society. There also were two patients with parosteal osteosarcomas. The histologic diagnosis was osteosarcoma in 23 patients and Ewing's sarcoma in nine. All patients except the patients with parosteal osteosarcoma received standard neoadjuvant therapy. Twenty-two Lewis Expandable Adjustable Prostheses, four modular Wright Medical prostheses, four modular Howmedica prostheses, and two Techmedica expandable prostheses were used. Thirteen patients died, two have no evidence of disease, and 17 are continuously disease free. Sixteen of 32 patients (50%) have not had an expansion procedure because of early death in 10 and early amputation in three. Three patients are waiting to undergo an expansion procedure. Sixteen of the 32 patients (50%) have undergone 32 expansion procedures, to a maximum of 9 cm, without any infection. To maintain range of motion before the expansion procedure, a complete resection of the pseudocapsule was done routinely. Fourteen of the 32 patients did not have complications. Eighteen of the 32 patients had 27 complications. All Lewis Expandable Adjustable Prosthesis endoprostheses and the two nonmodular Techmedica prostheses were associated with a large amount of titanium debris. The children's functional results were similar to the results reported for adults with an average Musculoskeletal Tumor Society rating of good to excellent at the knee, fair to good at the hip, and fair about the shoulder. Rehabilitation of the knee in very young patients (5-8 years) remains problematic and careful selection of patient and family is necessary. The Lewis Expandable Adjustable Prosthesis probably should be reserved for very young patients (5-8 years) and modular systems should be used for large preadolescent and adolescent children.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of bone. A clinicopathologic, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical study

In a review of 29 cases of solitary and multicentric hemangioendothelial sarcomas of bone, 14 were found to have histologic features of epithelioid hemangioendotheliomas. These were characterized by the presence of epithelioid or "histiocytoid" endothelial cells that were either round or spindle-shaped. Intracytoplasmic vacuolization was noted, and some showed nesting of cells, mimicking metastatic adenocarcinoma. The presence of a myxoid matrix suggested the diagnosis of chondrosarcoma in some cases. Some of the tumors strongly resembled the lesions formerly designated as intravascular bronchioloalveolar tumor, angioglomoid tumor of bone, or malignant myxoid angioblastoma of bone. Factor VIII-related antigen was detected in five of the six cases examined, and ultrastructural study in five cases confirmed the endothelial nature of the tumor cells; Weibel-Palade bodies were present in three cases. There were 11 men and three women, and the tumors were seen predominantly in patients who were under 30 years of age (10 cases). Four cases involved solitary tumors, and nine were multicentric in bone. The multicentric tumors had a predilection for the bones of one lower extremity (five cases). The total series had a protracted clinical course, and the multicentric tumors appeared to follow a less aggressive course.

Response of osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma to preoperative chemotherapy: assessment with dynamic and static MR imaging and skeletal scintigraphy

In 15 osteosarcomas and six Ewing sarcomas, response to preoperative chemotherapy was assessed with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging without and with gadolinium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) enhancement and with dynamic Gd-DTPA studies, and the results were compared with the scintigraphic findings. All studies were obtained prior to and following preoperative chemotherapy. Static MR imaging was of little value for assessment of response; reduction in signal intensity within soft-tissue masses on the T2-weighted spin-echo images indicated response with a sufficient degree of accuracy (71%) but low sensitivity, whereas an increase in signal intensity after Gd-DTPA administration indicated zones of viable tissue with low specificity. With three-phase skeletal scintigraphy, the findings in the perfusion and blood-pool phases were of no value, whereas the findings in the osseous phase allowed the prediction of response with an accuracy of 73.7%. Of all techniques employed, dynamic MR imaging had the highest degree of accuracy (85.7%) and was superior to scintigraphy, particularly in patients who were receiving intraarterial chemotherapy.

Impact of FDG PET for staging of Ewing sarcomas and primitive neuroectodermal tumours

AIM

High-grade Ewing sarcomas and Primitive neuroectodermal tumours (PNET) make up the tumours of the Ewing family. Our purpose was to evaluate the value of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) in patients with Ewing tumours.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-four patients who had PET because of a suspected Ewing tumour during a 5-year period were included in this retrospective study. The images of 33 whole-body FDG PET investigations performed in primary or secondary diagnostics were analysed visually and semi-quantitatively by using standardized uptake values (SUVs). In 14 cases, PET was compared to bone scintigraphy regarding bone lesions. The final diagnosis was based on histology, imaging and follow-up.

RESULTS

Histologically, the primary lesions were 10 Ewing sarcoma, 13 PNET and one osteomyelitis. The sensitivity and specificity of an examination-based analysis (presence of Ewing tumour and/or its metastases) were 96 and 78%, respectively. Altogether, 163 focal lesions were evaluated. Sensitivity and specificity regarding individual lesions were 73 and 78%. This lower sensitivity is mainly due to small lesions. In true-positive cases, the mean SUV was 4.54+/-2.79, and the SUVs in two false-positive cases were 4.66 and 1.60. True-positive and false-positive cases could not be differentiated definitively based on SUVs because of overlap and low values in true-positive lesions. In four cases, PET depicted 70 while bone scintigraphy depicted only eight bone metastases.

CONCLUSION

An FDG PET investigation is a valuable method in the case of Ewing tumours. PET is superior to bone scintigraphy in the detection of bone metastases of Ewing tumours. For the depiction of small lesions, mainly represented by pulmonary metastases, PET is less sensitive than helical computed tomography. Determination of the role of whole-body FDG PET in diagnostic algorithm needs further investigation.

Massive allografts in the treatment of osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma in children and adolescents

A retrospective review was performed of the results of all allograft reconstructions that had been done after the resection of an osteosarcoma or an Ewing sarcoma in a skeletally immature patient between 1982 and 1989 at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. There were twenty-six patients. Six reconstructions were intercalary, sixteen were resection arthrodeses, three followed resection of a bone segment including the epiphysis (osteoarticular reconstruction), and one was a replacement of the entire humerus. Resection arthrodesis about the knee was performed with a smooth intramedullary rod and with one growth plate left intact. Six procedures were performed in the upper extremity. Excluding the patients who died, the average duration of follow-up was five years and three months. Twenty-one of the twenty-six patients had reached skeletal maturity at the time of follow-up. Eighteen (69 per cent) of the patients had a good or excellent result, four (15 per cent) had a fair result, and four had a failure. Twenty patients (77 per cent) had at least one complication (other than a limb-length discrepancy), and fourteen (54 per cent) sustained at least one fracture of the allograft. Fifteen patients who had had a reconstruction in the lower extremity had survived with survival of the allograft at the time of the latest follow-up. A limb-length discrepancy of at least two centimeters developed in nine of the fifteen patients. Five were managed with a contralateral epiphyseodesis, and one of them had an unsuccessful attempt at limb-lengthening as well. The patients who had a limb-length discrepancy of more than three centimeters at the time of follow-up had been significantly younger (p < 0.05) at the time of the reconstruction than those who had a smaller discrepancy. Three allografts (12 per cent), two of which were implanted early in the series, became infected. Soft-tissue coverage is of paramount importance for the prevention of infection, and we now routinely perform primary muscle (gastrocnemius or latissimus dorsi) transfers when dealing with an inadequate muscle envelope. Twelve patients were followed for more than four years (average, six years and seven months); they had no complications other than increased limb-length discrepancy and one subluxation of the shoulder after the first four years following the reconstruction. Although the rate of complications is higher than in adults, allograft reconstruction remains a useful option for the management of skeletally immature individuals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Primary Ewing's sarcoma involving the bones of the head and neck

Ewing's sarcoma is a rare tumor of the bone. In the Intergroup Ewing's Sarcoma Study (IESS) approximately 4% of the primary bone tumors arose in the bones of the head and neck. The mean age of patients was 10.9 years; boys slightly dominated the group. Signs and symptoms were local in distribution, with a mass or swelling most frequent. As in other sites, we categorized the dominant histologic pattern as diffuse or filigree, the latter carrying a more unfavorable prognosis. The radiographic appearance may be atypical as compared to Ewing's sarcoma at other sites. Prognosis of head and neck Ewing's is significantly better than Ewing's sarcoma overall. The gnathic bones were commonly affected, yet there was no associated mortality. No patient with primary disease in the bones of the head and neck who survived for 5 years on any of the IESS protocols has subsequently died.

Pasteurized autologous bone graft in surgery for bone and soft tissue sarcoma

For skeletal reconstruction in surgery for bone tumors, pasteurization of bone has been used with favorable results over autoclaving or boiling. Twenty-three patients with primary malignant bone tumors and two patients with soft tissue sarcoma invading bone reconstruction surgery with pasteurized autologous bone graft comprised the study group. There were 16 females and nine males, between 7 and 77 years of age who were followed up for at least 3 years (mean, 52 months). The International Society of Limb Salvage graft evaluation method was used for evaluation of the radiographs. Fifteen patients (60%) had complete incorporation of the graft and eight patients (32%) had partial incorporation. Viability of the grafts was evaluated by bone scintigraphy. Of 22 patients evaluated, uptake was detected in 17 patients from approximately 6 months postoperatively after which it increased gradually. The functional results were assessed by the system of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, and the mean functional rating was 86%. Eighteen patients have been disease-free and seven have died of disease. Fracture (12%) and infection (20%) were the main complications. No local recurrence was detected. These results indicate that pasteurization of bone may be a useful option for reconstruction after resection of malignant bone tumors. The advantages of extracorporeal pasteurization include convenience of use, avoidance of intraspecies infection and allogenic reactions, and satisfactory bone remodeling.

Adamantinoma-like Ewing's sarcoma: genomic confirmation, phenotypic drift

Ewing's sarcoma, a highly malignant neoplasm, is characterized by an 11;22 translocation [t(11;22) (q24;q12)], resulting in the fusion of genes FLII and EWS. Adamantinoma of extragnathic bones, a low-grade malignant neoplasm with epithelial features, is not typically considered in the differential diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma. In this study, three osseous Ewing's sarcomas with histological, immunohistochemical, or ultrastructural epithelial features were subjected to reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and sequencing studies for the Ewing's sarcoma molecular rearrangement. (Two of the three cases were originally described as adamantinomas or nontypical Ewing's sarcoma before the availability of genetic characterization.) In addition, traditional cytogenetic analysis and a unique combined interphase molecular cytogenetic/ immunocytochemical approach with bicolor 11;22 translocation breakpoint flanking probes (cosmids) and pancytokeratin antibodies were performed on one neoplasm. At(11;22) (q24;q12) was found in one neoplasm and a type II EWS/FLI-1 fusion transcript was detected in all three neoplasms. The combined genetic/immunocytochemical approach revealed the presence of the 11 ;22 translocation in the nuclei of cytokeratin immunoreactive cells. These genotypic and phenotypic findings delineate a novel Ewing's sarcoma histologic variant, "adamantinoma-like Ewing's sarcoma."

Primary chest wall tumors

A retrospective study of 53 primary chest wall tumors, 26 benign and 27 malignant, was carried out to review their clinical radiological and pathological features. Forty-nine of the 53 lesions presented in the ribs and the remaining 4, in the sternum. The overall 5-year survival for patients with primary malignant neoplasms of the chest wall was 33.3%, and the 10-year survival was 18.5%. All of the deaths were disease related. All of the patients with benign tumors were treated by excision without recurrence or death. Distinction between benign and malignant chest wall tumors was not possible using radiographic criteria unless cortical destruction and involvement of soft tissues were visualized. On the basis of our analysis, we believe that all tumors of the chest wall should be considered malignant until proven otherwise and that wide excision should be carried out. This is necessary not only to obtain an adequate diagnosis but also to provide the best chance for cure in both benign and malignant lesions.

Magnetic resonance imaging of bone and soft tissue tumors: early experience in 31 patients compared with computed tomography

In 31 patients with 21 soft tissue and 10 bone tumors, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) were equally effective in delineating the margins of most soft tissue tumors, and the margins of bone tumors from fat and adjacent normal bone. However, MRI was superior to CT in delineating bone tumors from adjacent muscle, and in showing the relationships to bone of the deep margins of some soft tissue tumors. This was true because the quality of CT images around thick cortical bone often was severely degraded by streak artifact, which does not occur in MRI. Excellent anatomic detail was achieved on MRI by spin echo pulse sequences with short repetition times. Bone tumors were delineated best by spin echo 1000/30 images, and soft tissue tumors by spin echo 1000/30 or inversion recovery images.

Value of bone scanning in neoplastic disease

This article reviews recent literature on a variety of primary and secondary bone tumors in an attempt to indicate the use of bone scans in the peri- and posttreatment phases. The data indicate that the yields and value of bone scans are tumor specific and that for some tumors (particularly breast and prostate) interpretation of studies on patients undergoing hormonal or chemotherapy can be complicated by the "flare phenomenon." Data are still needed on the rate of development of bone metastases in the follow-up period on a stage-specific and therapy-specific basis.

Combined modality therapy of Ewing's sarcoma

Since 1964, 66 consecutive patients with Ewing's sarcoma have been treated at the National Cancer Institute with local irradiation of the primary site combined with adjuvant regimens of progressively more intensive systemic chemotherapy. Actuarial survival rates for the total series show a 56% 2-year and 35% 5-year survival. The 43 patients without clinically detectable metastases at diagnosis have 64% 2-year and 52% 5-year survival rates. The current protocol, alternating high-dose pulses of adriamycin and cyclophosphamide-vincristine, is providing improved disease-free survival as compared to previous protocols, and indicates further progress toward the ultimate goal of complete tumor eradication. In addition to the problems of diagnostic accuracy in evaluating treatment results, other major factors influencing prognosis include initial metastatic disease, site of the primary tumor, age at diagnosis, and presence of systemic symptoms. At least these, and probably others, must be taken into account in developing randomized prospective trials for determination of optimal adjuvant therapy.

Primary bone tumors: percutaneous needle biopsy. Radiologic-pathologic study of 222 biopsies

Findings of 222 needle biopsies were evaluated to determine the accuracy of the procedure in diagnosis, the role of the biopsy in limb-salvage procedures, the contribution of needle biopsy in the assessment of tumor effect in patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and reasons for failure to obtain diagnostic tissue. The overall accuracy of needle biopsy in diagnosis of benign and malignant tumors was 78.6%. The major tumor categories included osteosarcoma (50 patients), giant-cell tumor (33 patients), Ewing sarcoma (22 patients), and spindle-cell sarcoma (15 patients). The accuracy of needle biopsy in diagnosis for these tumors was 78%, 88%, 95%, and 87%, respectively. The results of follow-up needle biopsy were encouraging, with roughly a 70% adequacy in the patients who had osteosarcoma and 50% in the patients who had Ewing sarcoma. The major reason for failure to obtain tissue for diagnosis in 17 of 35 patients was the presence of blastic tumors. The presence of cystic lesions and faulty technique were other reasons for failure. Percutaneous needle biopsy in patients who have primary bone tumors is a helpful diagnostic tool, forms an important part of the limb-salvage procedure, and contributes to the assessment of tumor effects in patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy. To minimize failure in obtaining adequate tissue for diagnosis, biopsy specimens of blastic tumors should be obtained from their soft tissue components, lytic areas, or the least dense areas, while a smear of aspirate from cystic lesions should be prepared for cytologic examination and the clot embedded in paraffin for histologic study.

Computed tomography in the evaluation of musculoskeletal neoplasms

In a study of 62 musculoskeletal neoplasms, computed tomography contributed little to establishing tissue diagnosis. Its primary value lay in the assessment of intraosseous and/or extraosseous extent of disease. CT also established the presence or absence of disease in a small number of cases with clinically questionable findings. In most cases, conventional radiographic methods were superior in diagnosing musculoskeletal neoplasms.

Primary Ewing's sarcoma of the spine

Thirty-six patients with primary Ewing's sarcoma of the spine were diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic between 1951 and 1988. The mean age was 17 years (range, 5-40 years). Neurologic symptoms and signs were seen in 58% of the patients. Forty-seven percent of all patients had an open biopsy of the lesion and underwent a decompressive laminectomy. Three of the four patients with thoracic or thoracolumbar involvement had progressive kyphosis after laminectomy. All patients received radiation therapy in various dosages. Sixteen of the patients were registered in the Intergroup Ewing's Sarcoma Study. Intensive combination chemotherapy was administered to 32 of the patients. Nine patients were free of disease at the final follow-up examination (follow-up ranged from 6 to 184 months). The 5-year survival rate was 33%. The mean survival time was 2.9 years. No significant correlation was found between the location of the tumor in the spine and the length of disease-free survival, overall survival, or incidence of metastatic disease. Patients enrolled in the Intergroup Ewing's Sarcoma Study had significantly better rates of disease-free survival and overall survival.

Chemotherapy response is an important predictor of local recurrence in Ewing sarcoma

BACKGROUND

Local recurrence in Ewing sarcoma is associated with a poor prognosis. The purpose of the study was to determine the factors that predict local recurrence after surgical treatment of the primary tumor.

METHODS

Between 1990 and 2001, 64 patients underwent surgical resection of Ewing sarcoma. Surgical margins were assessed histologically and radiologically. Response to preoperative chemotherapy was determined by detailed specimen mapping. Local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) was calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed with the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

A number of factors were found to be associated with local recurrence on univariate analysis. Patients with a good response to chemotherapy (> or = 90% tumor necrosis), had superior LRFS at 5 years (86% vs 51%, P = .015). Central site of disease was associated with an increased rate of recurrence. The LRFS at 5 years was 50% for the chest wall, 74% for pelvic/scapular, and 86% for extremity tumors (P = .083). Positive surgical margin was not a strong predictor of recurrence (P = .72). A critical analysis of minimal surgical margin based on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans also failed to reveal an association between margin and local recurrence. In multivariate analysis, the 2 independent predictors of local recurrence were histological response to chemotherapy and central site of disease.

CONCLUSION

Local recurrence after surgical resection is a complex phenomenon. An important predictive factor is the response to chemotherapy. In the current study, this seems to have the largest impact. Central site of disease may be a second independent predictive factor.

Ewing's sarcoma of the head and neck in children

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this paper was to review our experience with Ewing's sarcoma of the head and neck in children.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

SETTING

The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ont., Canada.

METHODS

Between 1986 and 1996, 70 cases of Ewing's sarcoma were identified. The medical records, roentgenographic and pathology reports were reviewed retrospectively. The gender, age of presentation, location and clinical presentation of the tumor were noted in the cases involving the head and neck. The treatment and follow-up of these patients were recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 70 cases of Ewing's, five involved the head and neck (7.1%). The age of presentation ranged from 7.5 to 14 years. An enlarging mass in the mandible was the mode of presentation in three of the five children. Two patients had metastases at initial presentation. All patients received combination treatment regimens with chemotherapy initially, followed by adjuvant surgery and/or radiation. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 11 years. Three of five patients died of metastatic disease. Two are alive and well with no evidence of disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Ewing's sarcoma occurs infrequently in the head and neck in children. An enlarging mass in the mandible is the most frequent mode of presentation. This tumor is treated systemically with high dose chemotherapy and locally with surgical excision where possible. In lesions that are initially unresectable and/or show a poor response to chemotherapy, radiation is used for local control. A good prognosis can be expected if the disease has not metastasized.

Primary Ewing's sarcoma of the vertebral column

OBJECTIVE

To determine the demographics, imaging findings, clinical symptoms, and prognosis of primary vertebral Ewing's sarcoma (PVES).

DESIGN

A retrospective review of medical records and radiological studies of patients diagnosed with PVES from 1936 through 2001 in our institution and Department of Pathology consultation files was undertaken. Metastatic and soft tissue Ewing's sarcoma cases were excluded.

RESULTS

From a total of 1,277 cases of Ewing's sarcoma, 125 (9.8%) had a primary vertebral origin. There were 48 females and 76 males. Patient ages ranged from 4 to 54 (mean 19.3, standard deviation 10.7, median 16) years. Vertebral column distribution was four cervical (3.2%), 13 thoracic (10.5%), 31 lumbar (25%), and 67 sacrum (53.2%). More than one vertebral segment was involved in ten cases (8%). Satisfactory imaging studies were available in 51 patients: 49 radiographs, 27 computerized tomography (CT), and 23 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. The majority of tumors were lytic (93%). Three cases were mixed lytic and sclerotic (6%) and one sclerotic. In the nonsacral spine, the majority of lesions (12/20) involved the posterior elements with extension into the vertebral body. Five cases were centered in the vertebral body with extension into the posterior elements. Two cases were limited to the posterior elements, and one case solely involved the vertebral body. Ala was the most frequently affected site in the sacrum (18/26). Spinal canal invasion was frequent (91%). Detailed clinical information was available in 53 patients. Duration of symptoms ranged from 1 to 30 (mean 7) months. Local pain was the first symptom and seen in all cases. Neurological deficits were present in 21 (40%) cases. All patients received radiation in various dosages; 70% additionally received chemotherapy. Twenty-five patients had surgery, and two patients received bone marrow transplantation. Forty-five patients had follow-up; the five-year disease-free survival probability is 0.53. Disease-free survival probabilities are 0.60 for sacral tumors and 0.45 for nonsacral tumors.

CONCLUSION

PVES is an uncommon tumor, usually seen in the second decade of life (mean age 19.3 years) with a male predilection (62%). An aggressive osteolytic lesion, particularly in the sacrum, should raise suspicion for this tumor in adolescents. Prognosis was similar in sacral and nonsacral tumors.