Oncologic outcomes of surgically managed primary pelvic soft tissue sarcoma; tumour biology or surgical constraints of the true pelvis?

BACKGROUND

Pelvic soft tissue sarcomas are rare. Potentially curative resection remains challenging due to anatomical constraints of true pelvis and tumour spread through various anatomical hiatus. We sought to review the oncological outcomes of surgically managed cases at our centre and determine whether outcomes differ for patients with localised (limited to pelvis) versus extensive disease (with extra-pelvic extension).

METHODS

Sixty-seven patients who underwent surgical resection with curative intent at the centre for primary, non-metastatic, WHO intermediate to high-grade soft tissue sarcoma of the true pelvis from January 2012 through January 2020 were analysed. Establishment of the extent of disease was made by review of pre-treatment imaging and surgical notes. Oncologic endpoints examined were resection margin, recurrence rate, disease-free and overall survival.

RESULTS

Rates of complete oncological resection and disease control were similar for tumours with localised or extensive disease. On logistic regression analysis, tumour grade, and a negative resection margin (R0) correlated with the risk of recurrence (p=<0.05). On further multinomial analysis, R0 resection was associated with improved local control, but not metastatic relapse (p = 0.003). 5-year local recurrence-free and distant metastasis-free survival were 61.3% and 67.1%, respectively. Five and 10-year overall survival were 64% and 36%, respectively. Age >50 years and high tumour grade were associated with a worse outcome (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

When potentially curative surgery is performed for pelvic sarcoma, disease-extent does not influence oncologic outcomes. While a complete oncologic resection determines the risk of local recurrence, tumour grade and metastatic relapse remain primary prognostic determinants for overall survival.

Myxoid Liposarcoma: A Case Report of a Rare Location in the Abdominal Wall

Liposarcomas are considered to be the most common soft tissue sarcomas and have five histological subtypes. The myxoid subtype often occurs in the lower limbs and the retroperitoneum; however, the abdominal wall location is extremely rare. The clinical presentation and radiological findings are non-specific. Wide local excision with a minimum margin of 3 cm remains the mainstay of treatment to prevent local recurrences. We herein report a rare location of myxoid liposarcoma in the abdominal wall.

Prognostic factors in patients with recurrent or metastatic retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma

AIMS

Factors that predict the prognosis of patients with recurrent or metastatic retroperitoneal leiomyosarcomas after treatment are uncertain.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Clinical and pathological data on 22 patients with retroperitoneal leiomyosarcomas who were treated by a multidisciplinary abdominal soft-tissue tumor group were analyzed retrospectively to identify prognostic factors for their progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS & CONCLUSION

The median PFS in the 22 patients was 9 months. Microvessel density in tumor tissues, which was evaluated via CD34 expression in 16 cases, and the presence of metastasis on admission were both found to be correlated with PFS in a Kaplan-Meier analysis, but not in a multivariate analysis. The multivariate analysis did, however, show that complete resection of tumors and the FNCLCC (Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre Le Cancer) disease grade were independent factors predicting PFS.

A case of myxoid liposarcoma of the retroperitoneum: a challenging tumour for diagnosis and treatment

Retroperitoneal sarcomas are rare neoplasms that account for only 1%-2% of all solid tumors and liposarcomas represent the most frequent histological type. We describe the case of a 44-year-old female with a retroperitoneal myxoid liposarcoma of 22 × 19 × 8 cm in size. The only symptoms were persistent pain and progressive tenderness of the abdomen lasting for two months. The mass was radically excised during laparotomy. CT and MRI were useful to clarify the site of origin of the tumor, relationships with other organs, and planning surgery but final diagnosis was based on histological findings. Here we review the literature about the challenging diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic factors of this disease.

Luteinizing hormone, sex steroids and extracorporeal circulation - a promising link to treat retroperitoneal sarcomas. A reconsideration of cancer treatment

Retroperitoneal sarcomas are rare and aggressive tumors with a negative prognosis as there is currently no satisfactory treatment for them. The only proven factor that can significantly increase the otherwise poor survival of sarcoma patients is the radically of resection. However, the completeness of resection is hindered by the hypervascularized nature of sarcomas and the frequent involvement of major blood vessels. In this context, we propose to operate on retroperitoneal sarcomas only with the use of extracorporeal circulation, applying vascular clamps above and below the tumor, even with short periods of hypothermic circulatory arrest in complex cases. This technique would allow the surgeon to achieve complete tumor resections, approach large blood vessels easier and perform sofisticated vascular reconstructions with no fear of hemorrhage which is fundamental to achieve a bloodless surgical field. Also, we speculate on the etiology of retroperitoneal sarcomas that appear mostly during the period of menopause/andropause. Although both estrogens and androgens have been incriminated in inducing various cancer types, including sarcomas, an endogenous estradiol cathabolyte has been shown to have anti-tumor effects. Considering that during menopause/andropause sex steroid levels actually decrease, our second working hypothesis is that the increasing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and especially luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, together with the relative estrogen/androgen imbalance, may be the triggering cause. Also, a certain level of estrogens (Methoxyestradiol) may be essential in limiting tumor development and dedifferentiation. Given that extragonadal sarcomas appear to behave as endocrine tumors, a targeted hormonal therapy, together with controlled radical resections in complex cases of tumor vascular involvement, would certainly provide a strong link to both prevention and treatment of retroperitoneal sarcomas and even of cancer in general.

Pelvic Leiomyosarcoma obstructing vaginal opening — case report

We present a 42-year-old female admitted for a 4 month history of increasing pelvic discomfort and pain. Clinical examination revealed a large tumor obstructing the vagina. Tumor markers (CA 125, CEA, AFP and CA 19-9), white blood cells and biochemical tests were all within the normal limits. Pelvic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging scan confirmed the presence of a large retroperitoneal/pelvic mass. The tumor was surgically excised and pathohistologically diagnosed as a well differentiated leiomyosarcoma, staged IB. Six years after surgery the patient is well and disease free.

Prognostic factors and clinical outcomes of urological soft tissue sarcomas

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to elucidate prognostic factors for survival and clinical outcomes of rological soft tissue sarcomas (STSs).

Materials and Methods

This was a retrospective review of the medical records of 48 patients with urological STS treated from January 1982 to July 2009. Demographic and pathological characteristics were compared. Patients' demographics, clinico-pathological parameters, overall survival, and the factors expected to predict survival, such as sex, age at diagnosis, primary organ, surgical resection, metastasis, and mass size, were analyzed. We evaluated differences in survival on the basis of histological subtype by Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

The study included 34 males (70.8%) and 14 females (29.1%). The mean age at diagnosis was 47.1 years (range, 3 to 80). The most common site was the retroperitoneum (n=16), followed by the kidney (n=12), prostate (n=10), bladder (n=7), ureter (n=1), and paratesticular region (n=1). Nineteen patients (39.5%) had other organ metastases at diagnosis. The most common subtypes of sarcoma were leiomyosarcoma (50%), rhabdomyosarcoma (18.7%), and liposarcoma (8%). The remaining 11 cases had other histological subtypes (22.9%). Mean tumor size was 9.5 cm (range, 2.2 to 24). Thirty-three patients (68.7%) underwent surgical resection. The overall survival rate at 5 years was 51.4%. In the univariate and multivariate analysis, surgical resection, primary tumor site, and metastasis at diagnosis remained significant predictors of prognosis. Patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma had a higher overall survival rate by 5 years compared with patients with other organ sarcoma.

Conclusions

The overall survival rate at 5 years was 51.4%. Surgical resection, primary tumor site, and metastasis at diagnosis remained significant predictors of prognosis.

Retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma presenting as lower gastrointestinal bleeding: a case report and review of the literature

We report the first known case of a retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma that presented with an endoscopically defined source of gastrointestinal bleeding in the colon. A 68-year-old male with a history of diverticulosis, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia who complained of a 3-month history of abdominal pain, nausea, and intermittent hematochezia presented for evaluation of large volume hematochezia and lightheadedness. Colonoscopy revealed left-sided diverticulosis and rectal varices without stigmata of recent bleed. CT scan showed a 26 × 20 × 13 cm heterogeneous retroperitoneal mass and multiple hypodense hepatic lesions. Liver biopsy revealed leiomyosarcoma. In summary, although surgery is the mainstay of treatment, resectability has not improved significantly. Early recognition and aggressive surgery are keys to long-term survival.

Retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas: experience at a single institution in Mexico

BACKGROUND

Retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas (RSTS) are a rare and uncommon entity with a poor 5-year overall survival (OS) of approximately 50%, even though they rarely metastasize. The aim of the present study was to analyze the survival of patients with RSTS treated at our institution.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with RSTS treated between 1990 and 2008 were included. Variables analyzed were age, sex, histological type, TNM stage, tumor size, grade of differentiation, and treatment (surgery, chemotherapy only, radiotherapy only, adjuvant radiotherapy, and best supportive care). R0, R1, and R2 resection were analyzed. Overall survival, recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and survival comparison by stage, grade, and type of resection were analyzed.

RESULTS

Data for 46 patients were analyzed, 20 men and 26 women. Median age was 51.1 years. Surgery with a curative intent was performed in 32 patients, and R0 resection was feasible in 19 (59.4%). The 5- and 10-year OS rates were 47 and 30%, respectively, for the entire group. The median CSS for resected patients was 102 months; the 5-year OS for stages I, III, and IV was 83, 37, and 0%, respectively; the 5-year OS for low histological grade disease and high histological grade disease was 82 and 35%, respectively; and for R0, R1, and R2 resection, the 5-year OS was 81, 56, and 14%, respectively. Median RFS was 79 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Incomplete surgical resection, unresectable disease, high histological grade, and advanced TNM stage are associated with a poor survival in patients with RSTS. Complete resection is still the treatment of choice.