Significance of tumor recurrence before pulmonary metastasis in pulmonary metastasectomy for soft tissue sarcoma

Sarcoma Pulmonary Metastatic Disease: Still a Chance for Cure

Tumors of soft tissue origin are not common but are increasing in incidence. Given the rare and heterogeneous nature of the disease, deciding on an effective treatment approach to the patient can be challenging. Approximately 20-50% of patients with sarcoma will develop metastases to the lung via hematogenous spread. Despite improvements in systemic therapy options for patients with metastatic disease to the lung, surgical resection of metastases is often the preferred option in patients who are safe surgical candidates. Clearance of metastatic disease with surgical resection has been proven to be cost-effective and can improve chances for long term survival. Deciding on who may benefit from surgical resection is best achieved in a multidisciplinary setting.

Results of redo pulmonary metastasectomy

Repeat surgical resection (redo) for pulmonary metastases is a questionable, albeit intriguing topic. We performed an extensive review of the literature, to specifically analyze results of redo pulmonary metastasectomies. We reviewed a total of 3,523 papers. Among these, 2,019 were excluded for redundancy and 1,105 because they were not completely retrievable. Out of 399 eligible papers, 183 had missing information or missing abstract, while 96 lacked data on survival. A total of 120 papers dated from 1991 onwards were finally included. Data regarding mortality, major morbidity, prognostic factors and long-term survivals of the first redo pulmonary metastasectomies were retrieved and analyzed. Homogeneity of data was affected by the lack of guidelines for redo pulmonary metastasectomy and the risks of bias when comparing different studies has to be considered. According to the histology sub-types, redo metastasectomies papers were grouped as: colorectal (n=42), sarcomas (n=36), others (n=20) and all histologies (n=22); the total number of patients was 3,015. Data about chemotherapy were reported in half of the papers, whereas targeted or immunotherapy in 9. None of these associated therapies, except chemotherapy in two records, did significantly modify outcomes. Disease-free interval before the redo procedure was the prevailing prognostic factor and nearly all papers showed a significant correlation between patients’ comorbidities and prognosis. No perioperative mortality was reported, while perioperative major morbidity was overall quite low. Where available, overall survival after the first redo metastasectomy ranged from 10 to 72 months, with a 5-years survival of approximately 50%. The site of first recurrence after the redo procedure was mainly lung. Despite the data retrievable from literature are heterogeneous and confounding, we can state that redo lung metastasectomy is worthwhile when the lesions are resectable and the perioperative risk is low. At present, there are no “non-surgical” therapeutic options to replace redo pulmonary metastasectomies.

Non-surgical Treatments for Lung Metastases in Patients with Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) and Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

BACKGROUND

Radio-frequency ablation (RFA) and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) are two emerging therapies for lung metastases.

INTRODUCTION

Aliterature review was performed to evaluate the outcomes and complications of these procedures in patients with lung metastases from soft tissue sarcoma (STS).

METHODS

After selection, seven studies were included for each treatment encompassing a total of 424 patients: 218 in the SBRT group and 206 in the RFA group.

RESULTS

The mean age ranged from 47.9 to 64 years in the SBRT group and from 48 to 62.7 years in the RFA group. The most common histologic subtype was, in both groups, leiomyosarcoma. In the SBRT group, median overall survival ranged from 25.2 to 69 months and median disease- free interval was from 8.4 to 45 months. Two out of seven studies reported G3 and one G3 toxicity, respectively. In RFA patients, overall survival ranged from 15 to 50 months. The most frequent complication was pneumothorax. Local control showed a high percentage for both procedures.

CONCLUSION

SBRT is recommended in patients unsuitable to surgery, in synchronous bilateral pulmonary metastases, in case of deep lesions and patients receiving high-risk systemic therapies. RFA is indicated in case of a long disease-free interval, in oligometastatic disease, when only the lung is involved, in small size lesions far from large vessels. Further large randomized studies are necessary to establish whether these treatments may also represent a reliable alternative to surgery.

Past, present, and future perspectives of pulmonary metastasectomy for patients with advanced colorectal cancer

Over a half-century has passed since Thomford et al. proposed the selection criteria for pulmonary metastasectomy, and several prognostic factors have been identified. Although screening modalities and operations have changed dramatically, the important concepts of the selection criteria remain unchanged. Recent improvements in the survival outcomes of colorectal cancer patients undergoing pulmonary metastasectomy may be the result of strict adherence to the selection criteria for oligometastatic lung tumors, which can mimic local disease. Pulmonary metastasectomy has become an important option for selected patients with oligometastasis, based mainly on a large amount of retrospective data, but its effect on survival remains unclear. Curable pulmonary metastasis might be regarded as a "semi-local disease" under the spontaneous control of an acquired alteration in host immune status. The current practice of pulmonary metastasectomy for colorectal cancer focuses on selecting the most appropriate operation for selected patients. However, in the rapidly evolving era of immunotherapy, treatment-naïve patients for whom surgery is not suitable might be pre-conditioned by immunotherapy so that they may be considered for salvage surgery.

Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Versus Metastasectomy in Patients With Pulmonary Metastases From Soft Tissue Sarcoma

The lung is the preferred site of metastasis from soft tissue sarcoma (STS). This systematic review aims to evaluate the outcomes of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and metastasectomy (MTS) for the treatment of lung metastases from STS. A systematic review was carried out according to the PRISMA protocol. PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Ovid and Web of Knowledge databases were searched for English-language articles to December 2018 using a predefined strategy. Retrieved studies were independently screened and rated for relevance. Data were extracted by two researchers. In total, there were 1306 patients with STS: 1104 underwent MTS and 202 had SBRT. The mean age ranged from 40 to 55.8 years in the MTS group and from 47.9 to 64 years in the SBRT group. The cumulative death rate was 72% (95% confidence interval 59-85%) in the MTS group and 56% (38-74%) in the SBRT group. The cumulative mean overall survival time was 46.7 months (36.4-57.0%) in the MTS group and 47.6 months (33.7-61.5%) in the SBRT group. The cumulative rate of patients alive with disease was 5% (2-9%) in the MTS group and 15% (6-36%) in the SBRT group. Finally, the cumulative rate of patients alive without disease in the two groups was 19% (9-29%) and 20% (10-50%), respectively. Our study showed that local treatment of pulmonary metastases from STS with SBRT, compared with surgery, was associated with a lower cumulative overall death rate and similar overall survival time and survival rates without disease. By contrast, SBRT was associated with a higher survival rate with disease than MTS. Large randomised trials are necessary to confirm these findings and to establish whether SBRT may be a reliable option for early stage disease.

Management of metastatic retroperitoneal sarcoma: a consensus approach from the Trans-Atlantic Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group (TARPSWG)

Introduction

Retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) is a rare disease accounting for 0.1%-0.2% of all malignancies. Management of RPS is complex and requires multidisciplinary, tailored treatment strategies at all stages, but especially in the context of metastatic or multifocal recurrent disease. Due to the rarity and heterogeneity of this family of diseases, the literature to guide management is limited.

Methods

The Trans-Atlantic Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group (TARPSWG) is an international collaboration of sarcoma experts from all disciplines convened in an effort to overcome these limitations. The TARPSWG has compiled the available evidence surrounding metastatic and multifocally recurrent RPS along with expert opinion in an iterative process to generate a consensus document regarding the complex management of this disease. The objective of this document is to guide sarcoma specialists from all disciplines in the diagnosis and treatment of multifocal recurrent or metastatic RPS.

Results

All aspects of patient assessment, diagnostic processes, local and systemic treatments, and palliation are reviewed in this document, and consensus recommendations provided accordingly. Recommendations were guided by available evidence, in conjunction with expert opinion where evidence was lacking.

Conclusions

This consensus document combines the available literature regarding the management of multifocally recurrent or metastastic RPS with the practical expertise of high-volume sarcoma centers from multiple countries. It is designed as a tool for decision making in the complex multidisciplinary management of this condition and is expected to standardize management across centers, thereby ensuring that patients receive the highest quality care.

Long-term results of surgical resection of lung metastases from soft tissue sarcoma: A single center experience

BACKGROUND

A single-institution experience of pulmonary metastasectomy in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) was retrospectively reviewed. Our specific aim was to examine, whether the resection of pulmonary metastases could be curative. We also compared overall survival (OS) of patients after complete or incomplete pulmonary resection and nonsurgical treatment.

METHODS

Between 1987 and 2016, 1580 patients were treated for STS with curative intent by Soft Tissue Sarcoma Group at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. Three hundred forty-seven patients (22%) developed advanced disease and 130 STS patients (9%) developed pulmonary metastases as first systemic relapse. Seventy four patients (5%) were operated for lung metastases.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients (42%) had a complete and 19 (15%) incomplete resection. Fifty-six (43%) were unoperated. Median OS after complete or incomplete metastasectomy, chemotherapy, or best supportive care was 22, 18, 8, and 5 months, respectively. Twelve patients (9%) developed no further metastases and are alive with no evidence of disease. Disease-free survival (DFS) for completely resected patients was 17% at 5 years. All long-term survivors had oligometastatic disease and they underwent one to three complete metastasectomies.

CONCLUSIONS

Complete pulmonary metastasectomy in STS results in 5 years DFS in nearly one-fifth of patients. Most of these patients are probably cured.

The impact and efficacy of surveillance in patients with sarcoma of the extremities

OBJECTIVES

In this cross sectional study, the impact and the efficacy of a surveillance programme for sarcomas of the extremities was analysed.

METHODS

All patients who had treatment with curative intent for a high-grade sarcoma and were diagnosed before 2014 were included and followed for a minimum of two years.

RESULTS

Of the 909 patients who had a review appointment in 2014, 131 were under review for a high-grade sarcoma of the extremities following treatment with curative intent. Of these patients, three patients died of disease, two patients died of other causes, 12 are alive, with disease, and 114 have no evidence of disease. The surveillance programme accounts for 14% of all review appointments.Four of five patients (80%) who developed local recurrence identified the recurrence themselves. Chest radiographs are adequate in identifying metastatic disease and 11 (73%) of metastases were diagnosed during a routine follow up visit. However, the chance of cure is small and only two patients were referred for a metastatectomy. Of these only one survived for more than two years.The mean time for developing metastatic disease and local recurrence was 2.0 and 3.9 years respectively. Once identified, the mean time to death was 2.1 years for patients with metastatic disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Surveillance of sarcoma patients makes up a substantial amount of the workload of a sarcoma unit. The chance of cure following identification of local recurrence or metastatic disease, however, is small. Alternative methods of surveillance that allow better evaluation of the patient's needs are recommended.Cite this article: P. Cool, G. Cribb. The impact and efficacy of surveillance in patients with sarcoma of the extremities. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:224-230. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.64.BJR-2016-0253.R1.

Pulmonary metastasis from breast cancer with an 18-year disease-free interval: implication of the role of surgery

The appearance of pulmonary metastasis more than 15 years after primary treatment for breast cancer is rare. We herein report the case of a breast cancer patient with solitary pulmonary metastasis, after an 18-year disease-free period, treated with resection. A 66-year-old Japanese woman was found to exhibit an abnormal shadow on a chest X-ray. She had undergone a left mastectomy for breast cancer 18 years previously. The nodule was suspected to be either metastatic or primary lung cancer, and thus thoracoscopic surgery was performed. The histologic diagnosis was metastasis from breast cancer. Pulmonary resection in breast cancer recurrence is an important diagnostic tool that allows for a differential diagnosis with primary lung cancer. The clinical implication of surgery for a solitary pulmonary metastasis from breast cancer is discussed in this report.

Effective utilization of chest X-ray for follow-up of metastatic lung tumor due to soft tissue sarcoma

Computed tomography (CT) is widely used for follow-up of lung metastasis in patients due to soft tissue sarcoma (STS), the frequency of chest X-ray (CXR) is obviously reduced. This study verified the current status of diagnostic measures and the efficacy of CXR. A retrospective analysis of 18 patients that underwent surgery for lung metastasis due to STS was performed. The investigation compared the follow-up interval using CT after STS surgery, time from STS surgery to lung metastasis, tumor size of lung metastasis, detection rate with CXR, time from detection to surgery for lung metastasis, number of CT scans and follow-up interval using CT after detection of lung metastasis. The follow-up interval when using CT after STS surgery was 3.5 months (m). Time from STS surgery to lung metastasis was 34.3m. Tumor size of lung metastasis was 15 mm, and the detection rate by CXR was 66.7%. The time from detection to surgery for lung metastasis was 4.8m, the number of CT scans was 3.1, and the interval was markedly shortened to 1.6m. Follow-up should be performed by CXR if the tumor is detected by CXR. CT evaluation is required when the tumor size has increased, and prior to surgery for lung metastasis.

Pulmonary metastasectomy for sarcoma: a systematic review of reported outcomes in the context of Thames Cancer Registry data

OBJECTIVES

Sarcoma has a predilection to metastasis to the lungs. Surgical excision of these metastases (pulmonary metastasectomy) when possible has become standard practice. We reviewed the published selection and outcome data.

DESIGN

Systematic review of published reports that include survival rates or any other outcome data. Survival data were put in the context of those in a cancer registry.

SETTING

Specialist thoracic surgical centres reporting the selection and outcome for pulmonary metastasectomy in 18 follow-up studies published 1991-2010.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients having one or more of 1357 pulmonary metastasectomy operations performed between 1980 and 2006.

INTERVENTIONS

All patients had surgical pulmonary metastasectomy. A first operation was reported in 1196 patients. Of 1357 patients, 43% had subsequent metastasectomy, some having 10 or more thoracotomies. Three studies were confined to patients having repeated pulmonary metastasectomy.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Survival data to various time points usually 5 years and sometimes 3 or 10 years. No symptomatic or quality of life data were reported.

RESULTS

About 34% and 25% of patients were alive 5 years after a first metastasectomy operation for bone or soft tissues sarcoma respectively. Better survival was reported with fewer metastases and longer intervals between diagnosis and the appearance of metastases. In the Thames Cancer Registry for 1985-1994 and 1995-2004 5 year survival rates for all patients with metastatic sarcoma were 20% and 25% for bone, and for soft tissue sarcoma 13% and 15%.

CONCLUSIONS

The 5 year survival rate among sarcoma patients who are selected to have pulmonary metastasectomy is higher than that observed among unselected registry data for patients with any metastatic disease at diagnosis. There is no evidence that survival difference is attributable to metastasectomy. No data were found on respiratory or any other symptomatic benefit. Given the certain harm associated with thoracotomy, often repeated, better evidence is required.

Current status of pulmonary metastasectomy

Malignant disease's ability to metastasize remains one of the major obstacles when treating patients with cancer. The change from loco-regional to systemic disease usually renders the patient beyond surgical treatment, as local treatment with surgery in a systemic disease is usually considered without benefit. However, numerous retrospective studies have demonstrated that resection of metastases limited to the lungs may be associated with prolonged survival. No prospective, randomized studies have been published, and most series compare highly selected patients with historical data for unresected patients. In this article, we discuss the current status on pulmonary metastasectomy. Preoperative assessment and selection of surgical candidates is covered. The different surgical strategies including surgical approach, unilateral versus bilateral exploration, lymph node dissection, and repeat surgery are discussed. Finally, we review some of the common tumors that metastasize to the lungs, the role of metastasectomy in their treatment and the prognostic factors with impact on survival.

Long-term outcome of image-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of lung metastases: an open-labeled prospective trial of 148 patients

BACKGROUND

Image-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been proposed as an efficacious local therapy for lung metastases in nonsurgical candidates. Reports of long-term outcome from this treatment have been limited.

METHODS

A prospective open-labeled trial of RFA was initiated in November 2000 for treatment of lung metastases in nonsurgical candidates. RFA was carried out under fluoroscopic computed tomography. Treatment complications and survival parameters were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 148 patients treated, 66 patients (46%) had a complete response, 38 patents (26%) had a partial response, 57 patients (39%) had stable disease and 23 patients (16%) had progressive disease. The median progression-free survival was 11 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 9-14]. The median overall survival and 3- and 5-year survivals were 51 months (95% CI 19-83) and 60% and 45%, respectively. Disease-free interval (P = 0.013) and response to treatment (P = 0.002) were independent predictors for overall survival. Complications occurred in up to 45% of patients, of which 45 patients (30%) required chest tube placement.

CONCLUSION

This analysis confirms that RFA of lung metastases may achieve long-term survival in nonsurgical candidates with an acceptable complication rate hence supporting its incorporation into the oncosurgical management of lung metastases for the purposes of cure, stabilization and disease prolongation.

Resection of pulmonary and extrapulmonary sarcomatous metastases is associated with long-term survival

BACKGROUND

The presence of extrapulmonary sarcomatous metastases has traditionally been a contraindication for the resection of pulmonary metastases. We, therefore, reviewed our experience with resection of pulmonary metastases in patients who had documented extrapulmonary metastases to determine long-term outcome.

METHODS

From 1998 to 2006, 234 patients underwent pulmonary metastasectomy. They were grouped as follows: group A (lung metastasectomy only); group B1 (with either synchronous or prior extrapulmonary metastasectomy); group B2 (with nonsurgical treatment of synchronous or prior extrapulmonary metastases); group C1 (with later extrapulmonary metastasectomy); group C2 (with later extrapulmonary metastasis which was not resected).

RESULTS

Groups A, B1, and B2 consisted of 147 (62.8%), 26 (11.1%), and 13 (5.6%) patients, respectively. The median survival from lung metastasectomy date was 35.5, 37.8, and 13.5 months in groups A, B1, and B2, respectively. Comparison among the three groups showed no significant survival difference in groups A versus B1 (p = 0.96), but a survival difference was found comparing groups A versus B2 (p < 0.001) and B1 versus B2 (p < 0.001). Prognostic factors for increased survival included 3 or greater redo pulmonary operations, greater than 12 month mean time between pulmonary recurrences, greater than 24 month mean time between extrathoracic recurrences, and a prolonged disease-free interval. Prognostic factors for decreased survival included 3 or greater pulmonary metastases and group B2 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest extrapulmonary metastases should no longer be viewed as a contraindication to resection of sarcomatous pulmonary metastases. Long-term survival can be achieved when a complete resection is possible for both the pulmonary and extrapulmonary metastases.