Survival and Scoliosis Following Resection of Chest Wall Tumors in Children and Adolescents: A Single-center Retrospective Analysis

Comprehensive Analysis of Treatment Approaches in Chest Wall Ewing Sarcoma: The Impact of Tumor Volume on Oncologic Outcomes

Purpose

Local treatment with surgery (S) and radiation therapy (RT) for chest wall Ewing sarcoma (cwES) is often challenging given the extent of the tumor and the aggressiveness of local treatments needed for cure. We report tumor and treatment characteristics, oncologic outcomes, and toxicities of patients with cwES at 2 centers of a single institution.

Methods and Materials

Consecutive patients with cwES treated from 1997 to 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were treated with standard 5-drug chemotherapy (vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide) before initiation of local therapy. Local treatment was S, RT, or both. The decision on modality and timing was determined by a multidisciplinary sarcoma group or by consensus between sarcoma experts regarding patient preferences.

Results

The cohort consisted of 39 patients. The median age at diagnosis was 19.2 years (range, 3.5-53.6 years). Median tumor volume (TV) was 235.5 mL (range, 5.3-6761.9 mL). The local control (LC) modality was S in 18 patients (46%), RT in 4 (10%), and S + RT in 17 (44%). Four (10%) patients treated with S + RT had R1 margins. The median follow-up was 3.2 years (range, 0.1-21.6 years). Grade 3 radiation-associated toxicity relative to the RT modality was 16.7% and 7.1% for photons (n = 6) and protons (n = 14), respectively. The 2-year LC by modality was 100% for RT (95% CI, 100%-100%), 88.2% (95% CI, 74.2%-100%) for S, and 73.3% (95% CI, 54.0%-99.5%) for S + RT. The 5-year LC, failure-free survival, and overall survival for all patients were 79.7% (95% CI, 67.3%-94.4%), 52.3% (95% CI, 38.1%-71.9%), and 64.2% (95% CI, 49.6%-83.1%), respectively. In univariate and multivariate analysis, TV ≥ 130 mL was associated with a significantly worse 5-year failure-free survival (31.8% TV ≥ 130 mL vs 80.8% TV < 130 mL; hazard ratio, 4.94, p = .013 and adjusted hazard ratio, 5.43; 95% CI, 1.28-22.98; p = .022). The multivariate model was adjusted for age, metastatic disease at diagnosis, and S.

Conclusions

Outcomes for cwES tumors are highly dependent on tumor size, even with the use of combined modality local therapy. With early follow-up, smaller tumors may be well controlled with either S or RT.

Rhabdomyosarcoma Surgical Update

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) tumors arise from mesenchymal tissue and represent half of pediatric sarcomas, which in turn make up 7% of pediatric tumors. Advances in local control therapy of RMS have improved outcomes after surgical resection of the primary tumor, either before or after induction chemotherapy, even in the setting of metastatic disease. The utilization of diagnostic core needle and sentinel node biopsy techniques for lymph node staging are becoming more widely used. Over the past several years, refinement of prognostic factors with adoption of fusion status instead of histology, and optimized risk stratification schemas have been developed to assure appropriate therapy. There have been efforts between North American and European surgical oncology cooperative groups to standardize the care we provide, and yet there are still some philosophical differences to overcome.

Evaluating the Role of Surgical Resection and Reconstruction in the Management of Ewing sarcoma of the Chest Wall in the Paediatric Population: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Ewing sarcoma is the most common malignant chest wall tumour in the paediatric population. Following neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens, the role and extent of surgical resection and reconstruction of the chest wall remain unclear.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines across four major literature databases. Data regarding overall survival, rate of recurrence, role of surgery and adjuvant therapy role was extracted.

RESULTS

Three thousand ninety-one studies were initially identified via the search, with 25 single-centre observational studies (458 patients) and 10 retrospective reviews of multicentre trials (961 patients) included in the final analysis. Five-year overall survival ranged from 35% to 90%.

DISCUSSION

Along with chemotherapy, local control with surgical resection provides the cornerstone of the management of Ewing sarcoma of the chest wall in children. The literature favours delaying surgery until after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and there appear to be limited benefits to extensive resection according to pre-chemotherapy margins, advocated for in current guidelines. Radiotherapy is no longer advocated for all patients, but rather should be guided by surgical margins and the histological response to chemotherapy in the resected specimens. Surgical reconstructive techniques need to be tailored for the growth potential of these paediatric patients to avoid long-term sequalae, including scoliosis and pulmonary restrictive disease.

Scoliosis After Resection of Primary Pediatric Chest Wall Tumors

BACKGROUND

Scoliosis is one of the long-term consequences of surgical resection of pediatric chest wall tumors. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with scoliosis development following the resection of chest wall tumors.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of 64 children who underwent resection of malignant chest wall tumors from 2009 to 2022. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate factors associated with scoliosis development.

RESULTS

The median age at the time of surgery was 7 years (range, 3-21), with 33 (51.6%) patients undergoing surgery before the age of 10 years. The most common histology was Ewing sarcoma (n = 57). A median of 3 (range, 1-5) contiguous ribs were resected. A total of 34 (53.1%) patients had anterior CWTs and 30 (46.9%) had posterior CWTs. Concomitant partial lung and diaphragmatic resection were performed in 12 patients (lung, n = 7; diaphragm, n = 5). Scoliosis convex towards the resection side developed in 21 (32.8%). The primary risk factors for scoliosis were resecting 3 or more ribs (OR 6.44) and resection of the posterior rib segment (OR 5.49). Patients with a tumor resection below 10 years old were not associated with a higher risk of scoliosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Scoliosis following resection of a primary malignant pediatric chest wall tumor is associated with resection involving three or more ribs and resection of the posterior rib sector.

TYPE OF STUDY

Retrospective observational.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

A Single-center Experience of Radiotherapy in Pediatric Ewing Sarcoma/Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor of the Chest Wall

AIM

To evaluate the treatment results, prognostic parameters, and treatment-related toxicity in patients with Ewing sarcoma (ES)/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of the chest wall who underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy (RT) in a tertiary referral center.

METHODS

The data of 24 patients under 18 years of age with a histologic diagnosis of ES/PNET in the chest wall that received RT in our department between February 2003 and July 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. RT was applied to the primary site±whole involved chest wall and to the whole lung in patients with lung metastasis.

RESULTS

The median age was 8.5 years (range: 1.5 to 17 y), 15 (63%) patients were female and 9 were male (37%). The tumor localization was extrathoracic in 18 (75%) and intrathoracic in 6 (25%) patients. Mediastinal lymph node and distant metastasis (DM) was present in 5 (21%) and 4 (16%) cases at diagnosis, respectively. The median follow-up after RT was 47 months (range: 11 to 162 mo). The 2-year and 5-year overall survival, event-free survival, local recurrence-free survival, and pleural recurrence-free survival were 83% and 48%, 48% and 42%, 74% and 48%, and 61% and 52%, respectively. The overall local control rate was 83% and the pleural control rate was 67%. RT was well tolerated, with 1 case of grade 3 acute dermatitis and 1 case of grade 3 subacute radiation pneumonitis. Late toxicity was observed in 3 (13%) cases.

CONCLUSION

Long-term survival can be achieved with extended-field RT even in patients with ES/PNET of the chest wall with DM. The low toxicity rates allow us to draw the conclusion that RT with modern techniques is an effective and safe treatment modality for these patients.

Outcomes following the excision of sarcoma and chest wall reconstruction using 3D printed implant

The survival outcomes of patients with chest wall sarcomas (CWS) were evaluated after receiving wide excision and chest wall reconstruction by using three-dimensional printed (3DP) implants. The survival outcomes evaluating the effect of 3DP implants for chest wall reconstruction is lacking. Here, forty-nine patients with CWS underwent radical wide excision and chest wall reconstruction using 3DP implants. The surgical data and long-term survival outcomes were collected and analyzed. With a median follow-up of 36 months, the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 31.7% and 58.5%, respectively. In addition, the 3-year DFS and OS can be significantly differentiated using the classification criteria of tumor grade, tumor size tumor area. Hence, wide excision and chest wall reconstruction using three-dimensional printed implants are a safe and effective treatment for chest wall sarcoma. The novel classification criteria of tumor size and area have the potential to predict the prognosis of CWS.

[Chest wall reconstruction with a non-rigid synthetic rib prosthesis: a multicenter study]

Chest wall resection is performed for a variety of diseases, for primary rib and soft tissue tumors, metastatic lesions, or locally invasive growth of lung and mediastinal tumors being the most common indications. Following the resection phase, it is essential to determine the method of chest wall reconstruction that will restore the structural function, preserve pulmonary biomechanics, reduce the likelihood of residual pleural space, pulmonary hernia, and protect intrathoracic organs. The main objective of this study is to investigate the outcomes of chest wall resection with reconstruction using Codubix material.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This retrospective multicenter study included 22 patients who underwent chest wall tumor resection with subsequent Codubix rib endoprosthesis reconstruction from 2019 to 2023. Four medical institutions participated in the study: P.A. Herzen Moscow Cancer Research Institute, Sverdlovsk Regional Oncology Hospital, Morozov Children's City Clinical Hospital and Kaluga Regional Oncology Hospital. Inclusion criteria were the presence of chest wall tumors, both primary and secondary, removal of more than 2 ribs, resection of the rib arch and the sternum.

RESULTS

The median age was 60 years (48-66), 11 (50%) patients were females and 11 (50%) males. Operations for chest wall sarcoma, metastatic lesions, and lung cancer were performed in 9 (40.9%), 4 (18.2%), and 3 (13.6%) patients, respectively. The median number of removed ribs was 3 (2-4), with a maximum of 7. Sternotomy was performed in 9 (40.9%) patients, and subtotal resection of the body or handle of the sternum was carried out in 77.7%. Combined resections were performed in 14 (63.6%) patients. Radical tumor removal (R0) was achieved in 21 (95.5%) patients. Complications were observed in 9 (40.9%) patients, with intermuscular seroma being the most common in three (33.3%), followed by hydrothorax in 2 (22.2%), bilateral pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, and postoperative delirium in 1 (11.1%) patient each. One patient had the Codubix plate removed due to postoperative wound infection. The median overall and recurrence-free survival was not reached, and the 1-year recurrence-free survival was 63.9%, with an overall survival of 86.8%.

CONCLUSION

Reconstruction with Codubix material allows for satisfactory functional and cosmetic results, characterized by a low complication rate and good adaptive properties.

Congenital chest wall spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma in a one-month-old patient

This article presents a rare clinical case of an infant with congenital spindle-cell rhabdomyosarcoma, demonstrates a combined approach to the patient's therapy, describes in detail the performed reconstructive plastic surgery, analyzes the short-term and long-term results of the treatment with an emphasis on late orthopedic complications, provides a detailed literary review on the topic of the publication. The patient's parents gave consent to the use of their child's data, including photographs, for research purposes and in publications.

Reconstructive Strategies in Pediatric Patients after Oncological Chest Wall Resection: A Systematic Review

An appropriate reconstruction strategy after surgical resection of chest wall tumors in children is important to optimize outcomes, but there is no consensus on the ideal approach. The aim of this study was to provide an up-to-date systematic review of the literature for different reconstruction strategies for chest wall defects in patients less than 18 years old. A systematic literature search of the complete available literature was performed and results were analyzed. A total of 22 articles were included in the analysis, which described a total of 130 chest wall reconstructions. All were retrospective analyses, including eight case reports. Reconstructive options were divided into primary closure (n = 21 [16.2%]), use of nonautologous materials (n = 83 [63.8%]), autologous tissue repair (n = 2 [1.5%]), or a combination of the latter two (n = 24 [18.5%]). Quality of evidence was poor, and the results mostly heterogeneous. Reconstruction of chest wall defects can be divided into four major categories, with each category including its own advantages and disadvantages. There is a need for higher quality evidence and guidelines, to be able to report uniformly on treatment outcomes and assess the appropriate reconstruction strategy.

Management and outcomes of chest wall rhabdomyosarcoma: A report from the Children's Oncology Group Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee

INTRODUCTION

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the chest wall presents unique management challenges and local control considerations. The benefit of complete excision is uncertain and must be weighed against potential surgical morbidity. Our aim was to assess factors, including local control modality, associated with clinical outcomes in children with chest wall RMS.

METHODS

Forty-four children with RMS of the chest wall from low-, intermediate-, and high-risk Children's Oncology Group studies were reviewed. Predictors of local failure-free survival (FFS), event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) were assessed, including clinical characteristics and staging, primary tumor anatomic locations, and local control modalities. Survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Tumors were localized in 25 (57%) and metastatic in 19 (43%), and they involved the intercostal region (52%) or superficial muscle alone (36%). Clinical group was I (18%), II (14%), III (25%), and IV (43%), and ultimately 19 (43%) patients had surgical resection (upfront or delayed), including 10 R0 resections. Five-year local FFS, EFS, and OS were 72.1%, 49.3%, and 58.5%, respectively. Univariate factors associated with local FFS included age, International Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) group, extent of surgical excision, tumor size, superficial tumor location, and presence of regional or metastatic disease. Other than tumor size, the same factors were associated with EFS and OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Chest wall RMS has variable presentation and outcome. Local control is a significant contributor to EFS and OS. Complete surgical excision, whether upfront or after induction chemotherapy, is usually only possible for smaller tumors confined to the superficial musculature but is associated with improved outcomes. While overall outcomes remain poor for patients with initially metastatic tumors, regardless of local control modality, complete excision may be beneficial for patients with localized tumors if it can be achieved without excess morbidity.

Implications of Tumor Characteristics and Treatment Modality on Local Recurrence and Functional Outcomes in Children With Chest Wall Sarcoma: A Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative Study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of tumor characteristics and treatment approach on (1) local recurrence, (2) scoliosis development, and (3) patient-reported quality of life in children with sarcoma of the chest wall.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Children with chest wall sarcoma require multimodal therapy including chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiation. Despite aggressive therapy which places them at risk for functional impairment and scoliosis, these patients are also at significant risk for local recurrence.

METHODS

A multi-institutional review of 175 children (median age 13 years) with chest wall sarcoma treated at seventeen Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative institutions between 2008 and 2017 was performed. Patient-reported quality of life was assessed prospectively using PROMIS surveys.

RESULTS

The most common diagnoses were Ewing sarcoma (67%) and osteosarcoma (9%). Surgical resection was performed in 85% and radiation in 55%. A median of 2 ribs were resected (interquartile range = 1-3), and number of ribs resected did not correlate with margin status ( P = 0.36). Local recurrence occurred in 23% and margin status was the only predictive factor(HR 2.24, P = 0.039). With a median follow-up of 5 years, 13% developed scoliosis (median Cobb angle 26) and 5% required corrective spine surgery. Scoliosis was associated with posteriorrib resection (HR 8.43; P= 0.003) and increased number of ribs resected (HR 1.78; P = 0.02). Overall, patient-reported quality of life is not impaired after chest wall tumor resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Local recurrence occurs in one-quarter of children with chest wall sarcoma and is independent of tumor type. Scoliosis occurs in 13% of patients, but patient-reported quality of life is excellent.

Chirurgische Therapie maligner Lungen- und Brustwandtumoren bei Kindern

Primäre Lungen- und Brustwandtumoren sowie Lungenmetastasen stellen bei Kindern äußerst seltene Erkrankungen dar. Eingebunden in multimodale Therapiekonzepte können thoraxchirurgische Eingriffe bei pädiatrischen onkologischen Erkrankungen dazu beitragen, die Prognose der erkrankten Kinder signifikant zu verbessern. Ziel des Übersichtsartikels ist es, die Indikationsstellung und die aktuellen thoraxchirurgischen Therapieoptionen bei malignen Brustwand- und Lungentumoren darzustellen sowie den aktuellen Stellenwert der pulmonalen Metastasenchirurgie bei Kindern zu beleuchten. Die Arbeit stellt darüber hinaus das Diagnosespektrum und thoraxchirurgische Operationsspektrum im Bereich der onkologischen pädiatrischen Thoraxchirurgie an einem spezialisierten Zentrum in Deutschland dar.

Expert consensus on resection of chest wall tumors and chest wall reconstruction

Chest wall tumors are a relatively uncommon disease in clinical practice. Most of the published studies about chest wall tumors are usually single-center retrospective studies, involving few patients. Therefore, evidences regarding clinical conclusions about chest wall tumors are lacking, and some controversial issues have still to be agreed upon. In January 2019, 73 experts in thoracic surgery, plastic surgery, science, and engineering jointly released the Chinese Expert Consensus on Chest Wall Tumor Resection and Chest Wall Reconstruction (2018 edition). After that, numerous experts put forward new perspectives on some academic issues in this version of the consensus, pointing out the necessity to further discuss the points of contention. Thus, we conducted a survey through the administration of a questionnaire among 85 experts in the world. Consensus has been reached on some major points as follows. (I) Wide excision should be performed for desmoid tumor (DT) of chest wall. After excluding the distant metastasis by multi-disciplinary team, solitary sternal plasmacytoma can be treated with extensive resection and adjuvant radiotherapy. (II) Wide excision with above 2 cm margin distance should be attempted to obtain R0 resection margin for chest wall tumor unless the tumor involves vital organs or structures, including the great vessels, heart, trachea, joints, and spine. (III) For patients with chest wall tumors undergoing unplanned excision (UE) for the first time, it is necessary to carry out wide excision as soon as possible within 1–3 months following the previous surgery. (IV) Current Tumor Node Metastasis staging criteria (American Joint Committee on Cancer) of bone tumor and soft tissue sarcoma are not suitable for chest wall sarcomas. (V) It is necessary to use rigid implants for chest wall reconstruction once the maximum diameter of the chest wall defect exceeds 5 cm in adults and adolescents. (VI) For non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) invading the chest wall, wide excision with neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant therapy are recommended for patients with stage T_3-4N_0-1M₀. As clear guidelines are lacking, these consensus statements on controversial issues on chest wall tumors and resection could possibly serve as further guidance in clinical practice during the upcoming years.

Ewing Sarcoma-Diagnosis, Treatment, Clinical Challenges and Future Perspectives

Ewing sarcoma, a highly aggressive bone and soft-tissue cancer, is considered a prime example of the paradigms of a translocation-positive sarcoma: a genetically rather simple disease with a specific and neomorphic-potential therapeutic target, whose oncogenic role was irrefutably defined decades ago. This is a disease that by definition has micrometastatic disease at diagnosis and a dismal prognosis for patients with macrometastatic or recurrent disease. International collaborations have defined the current standard of care in prospective studies, delivering multiple cycles of systemic therapy combined with local treatment; both are associated with significant morbidity that may result in strong psychological and physical burden for survivors. Nevertheless, the combination of non-directed chemotherapeutics and ever-evolving local modalities nowadays achieve a realistic chance of cure for the majority of patients with Ewing sarcoma. In this review, we focus on the current standard of diagnosis and treatment while attempting to answer some of the most pressing questions in clinical practice. In addition, this review provides scientific answers to clinical phenomena and occasionally defines the resulting translational studies needed to overcome the hurdle of treatment-associated morbidities and, most importantly, non-survival.