Analysis of Margin Classification Systems for Assessing the Risk of Local Recurrence After Soft Tissue Sarcoma Resection

Progress in histology specific treatments in soft tissue sarcoma

INTRODUCTION

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) represent a heterogenous group of rare tumors, primarily treated with surgery. Preoperative radiotherapy is often recommended for extremity high-risk STS. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, typically based on doxorubicin with ifosfamide, has shown efficacy in limbs and trunk wall STS. Second-line chemotherapy, commonly utilized in the metastatic setting, is mostly histology-driven. Molecular targeted agents are used across various histologies, and although the use of immunotherapy in STS is still in its early stages, there is increasing interest in exploring its potential.

AREAS COVERED

This article involved an extensive recent search on PubMed. It explored the current treatment landscape for localized and metastatic STS, focusing on the combined use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy for both extremity and retroperitoneal tumors, and with a particular emphasis on the most innovative histopathology driven therapeutic approaches. Additionally, ongoing clinical trials identified via clinicaltrials.gov are included.

EXPERT OPINION

Recently there have been advancements in the treatment of STS, largely driven by the outcomes of clinical trials. However further research is imperative to comprehend the effect of chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy in various STS, as well as to identify biomarkers able to predict which patients are most likely to benefit from these treatments.

Clinical features and outcomes of young patients with low-grade non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas treated with a risk-based strategy: A report from Children's Oncology Group study ARST0332

BACKGROUND

In retrospective analyses, the Pediatric Oncology Group [POG) and the Federation National des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer (FNCLCC) histologic grade predict outcome in pediatric non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma (NRSTS), but prospective data on grading, clinical features, and outcomes of low-grade NRSTS are limited.

METHODS

We analyzed patients less than 30 years of age enrolled on Children's Oncology Group (COG) study ARST0332 (NCT00346164) with POG grade 1 or 2 NRSTS. Low-risk patients were treated with surgery alone. Intermediate-/high-risk patients received ifosfamide/doxorubicin and radiotherapy, with definitive resection either before or after 12 weeks of chemoradiotherapy.

RESULTS

Estimated 5-year event-free and overall survival were 90% and 100% low risk (n = 80), 55% and 78% intermediate risk (n = 15), and 25% and 25% high risk (n = 4). In low-risk patients, only local recurrence was seen in 10%; none with margins greater than 1 mm recurred locally. Sixteen of 17 intermediate-/high-risk patients who completed neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy underwent gross total tumor resection, 80% with negative margins. Intermediate-/high-risk group events included one local and seven metastatic recurrences. Had the FNCLCC grading system been used to direct treatment, 29% of low-risk (surgery alone) patients would have received radiotherapy ± chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Most low-risk patients with completely resected POG low-grade NRSTS are successfully treated with surgery alone, and surgical margins greater than 1 mm may be sufficient to prevent local recurrence. Patients with intermediate- and high-risk low-grade NRSTS have outcomes similar to patients with high-grade histology, and require more effective therapies. Use of the current FNCLCC grading system may result in overtreatment of low-risk NRSTS curable with surgery alone.

Risk Stratification Tools to Aid Decisions on Adjuvant Chemotherapy Usage in Resected Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A Ten-Year Review of an Irish Sarcoma Center Experience

Background

Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is comprised of approximately 80 subtypes, with an incidence of 4 - 5 per 100,000 annually in Europe. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines recommend consideration of neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy in tumors at high risk of recurrence based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging. Alternatively, the Sarculator is a risk prediction tool that has identified a threshold of risk, above which chemotherapy may provide an overall survival (OS) benefit. Using this nomogram, patients with a 10-year predicted OS < 60% are classified as high risk and should be considered for chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic accuracy of these two risk prediction methods in an Irish population.

Methods

All newly diagnosed patients with resected STS discussed in the STS tumor board in Cork University Hospital between January 2012 and December 2021 were identified. Clinicopathological data were collected. Risk assessment using AJCC and Sarculator nomogram was performed on all patients with an extremity/trunk sarcoma. The OS was calculated including Kaplan-Meier method for time to event analysis.

Results

In total, 200 STS patients were reviewed, of whom 134 had truncal or extremity tumors. Sarculator score was calculated for 60 of these (well differentiated liposarcomas, desmoid tumors and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans were excluded). Using the Sarculator nomogram to calculate 10-year predicted OS, 19 patients were categorized as high risk and 41 were categorized as low risk. Using AJCC staging, 25 patients were categorized as high risk and 35 as low risk. The 5-year OS rate in the Sarculator high-risk group was 60.2%, compared with 87.1% in the low-risk group (P = 0.009). The 5-year OS rate in the AJCC high-risk group was 67.6%, compared with 86.3% in the low-risk group (P = 0.083).

Conclusions

Our cohort is representative of the broad histological subtypes expected. In our population, Sarculator score results correlate with international outcomes and higher scores were associated with increased mortality. The Sarculator was more predictive of clinical outcome than AJCC staging, and its use would lower the proportion of patients being considered for adjuvant chemotherapy thereby sparing toxicity, which is important in the setting of uncertain clinical benefit.

Improving Sarcoma Outcomes: Target Trial Emulation to Compare the Impact of Unplanned and Planned Resections on the Outcome

This study follows the Target Trial Emulation (TTE) framework to assess the impact of unplanned resections (UEs) and planned resections (PEs) of sarcomas on local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS). Sarcomas, malignant tumors with mesenchymal differentiation, present a significant clinical challenge due to their rarity, complexity, and the frequent occurrence of UEs, which complicates effective management. Our analysis utilized real-world-time data from the Swiss Sarcoma Network, encompassing 429 patients, to compare the impact of UEs and PEs, adjusting for known prognostic factors through a multivariable Cox regression model and propensity score weighting. Our findings reveal a significantly higher risk of local recurrence for UEs and a short-term follow-up period that showed no marked differences in MFS, CSS, and OS between the UE and PE groups, underlining the importance of optimal initial surgical management. Furthermore, tumor grade was validated as a critical prognostic factor, influencing outcomes irrespective of surgical strategy. This study illuminates the need for improved referral systems to specialized sarcoma networks to prevent UEs and advocates for the integration of TTE in sarcoma research to enhance clinical guidelines and decision-making in sarcoma care. Future research should focus on the prospective validations of these findings and the exploration of integrated care models to reduce the incidence of UEs and improve patient outcomes.

Modern Multidisciplinary Management of Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Extremity and Trunk

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of the extremity and trunk are heterogeneous and rare tumors that require coordinated multidisciplinary management. Surgical resection remains the backbone of treatment for localized tumors, with the addition of radiotherapy to surgery to achieve high rates of local control. Despite this, overall survival is limited because of significant distant metastatic risk and a lack of efficacious systemic therapies. Clinical trials have produced conflicting results on the impact of systemic therapy in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings for patients with localized disease, leaving systemic treatment decisions largely guided by shared decision making and prognostic prediction tools such as nomograms. This article will review the foundational data as well as latest developments in surgical, radiotherapy, and systemic management supporting current practice guidelines for localized STS of the extremity and trunk.

Immunotherapies for locally aggressive cancers

Improving surgical resection outcomes for locally aggressive tumors is key to inducing durable locoregional disease control and preventing progression to metastatic disease. Macroscopically complete resection of the tumor is the standard of care for many cancers, including breast, ovarian, lung, sarcoma, and mesothelioma. Advancements in cancer diagnostics are increasing the number of surgically eligible cases through early detection. Thus, a unique opportunity arises to improve patient outcomes with decreased recurrence rates via intraoperative delivery treatments using local drug delivery strategies after the tumor has been resected. Of the current systemic treatments (e.g., chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies), immunotherapies are the latest approach to offer significant benefits. Intraoperative strategies benefit from direct access to the tumor microenvironment which improves drug uptake to the tumor and simultaneously minimizes the risk of drug entering healthy tissues thereby resulting in fewer or less toxic adverse events. We review the current state of immunotherapy development and discuss the opportunities that intraoperative treatment provides. We conclude by summarizing progress in current research, identifying areas for exploration, and discussing future prospects in sustained remission.

Myxofibrosarcoma: Outcomes, Prognostic Factors, and Role of Neoadjuvant Radiation Therapy

Purpose

Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) is a subtype of soft tissue sarcoma with a highly infiltrative growth pattern that leads to a higher risk of inadvertent positive surgical margins and local relapse. Poorly defined tumor margins also pose a challenge for radiation therapy (RT) planning, in terms of treatment volumes and administration of pre- versus postoperative RT. This study aims to evaluate local control and patterns of recurrence in patients with MFS treated with neoadjuvant RT followed by definitive surgical excision.

Methods and Materials

Multiple institutional databases were retrospectively searched for patients diagnosed with MFS between 2013 and 2021 who were exclusively treated with preoperative RT followed by definitive surgery at our institution. The endpoints of the study were defined as local tumor recurrence, distant metastasis, and death after the date of definitive surgery.

Results

Forty-nine patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final study. The median age at diagnosis was 67 years, and 71% of patients were male. The tumor was superficially located in 63% of patients, and the mean tumor size at presentation was 7.8 cm. All patients received neoadjuvant RT and completed their planned course of treatment. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered in 22% of patients. Inadvertent excision (IE) before definitive treatment was performed in 25 patients (51%), 84% of which had superficially located tumors. All margins were assessed using frozen section analysis at the time of definitive surgery, and 100% of patients had negative surgical margins, with 25% having no residual tumor. With a median follow-up of 4.7 years, the 5-year local control rate was 87%, and 5-year overall survival was 98%. Tumor depth was associated with distant metastasis (P < .01).

Conclusions

Despite the infiltrative nature of MFS, preoperative RT followed by definitive surgical excision, especially in the setting of a reliable frozen section margin analysis, was associated with excellent local control.

Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Requiring Abdominal Aortic Replacement With Long-Term Survival: A Case Report

Retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) is a rare disease. RPS invading the abdominal aorta is exceedingly rare and has a poor prognosis. There have been scattered cases of RPS treated with combined abdominal aortic replacement. However, the average survival time for these cases was only 8 months, with a 2-year survival rate of 21%, indicating a poor prognosis. In this case study, a 44-year-old man presented to our hospital complaining of abdominal pain. Multiple imaging findings suggested a retroperitoneal mass that was diagnosed as a malignant tumor. The patient underwent tumor resection with abdominal aortic replacement due to an RPS tumor invading the abdominal aorta. The histopathological grade was determined to be grade 3, the most malignant grade tumor, according to the Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte Contre le Cancer grading system. Postoperative chemotherapy with doxorubicin and ifosfamide was administered for five cycles. The patient has been alive for over 8 years after the operation without any recurrence. This case presents a long-term survival of RPS requiring abdominal aortic replacement.

Neoadjuvant Therapies Do Not Reduce Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Expression or EGFR-Targeted Fluorescence in a Murine Model of Soft-Tissue Sarcomas

PURPOSE

ABY-029, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted, synthetic Affibody peptide labeled with a near-infrared fluorophore, is under investigation for fluorescence-guided surgery of sarcomas. To date, studies using ABY-029 have occurred in tumors naïve to chemotherapy (CTx) and radiation therapy (RTx), although these neoadjuvant therapies are frequently used for sarcoma treatment in humans. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of CTx and RTx on tumor EGFR expression and ABY-029 fluorescence of human soft-tissue sarcoma xenografts in a murine model.

PROCEDURES

Immunodeficient mice (n = 98) were divided into five sarcoma xenograft groups and three treatment groups - CTx only, RTx only, and CTx followed by RTx, plus controls. Four hours post-injection of ABY-029, animals were sacrificed followed by immediate fluorescence imaging of ex vivo adipose, muscle, nerve, and tumor tissues. Histological hematoxylin and eosin staining confirmed tumor type, and immunohistochemistry staining determined EGFR, cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31), and smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression levels. Correlation analysis (Pearson's correlation coefficients, r) and linear regression (unstandardized coefficient estimates, B) were used to determine statistical relationships in molecular expression and tissue fluorescence between xenografts and treatment groups.

RESULTS

Neoadjuvant therapies had no broad impact on EGFR expression (|B|≤ 7.0, p ≥ 0.4) or on mean tissue fluorescence (any tissue type, (|B|≤ 2329.0, p ≥ 0.1). Mean tumor fluorescence was significantly related to EGFR expression (r = 0.26, p = 0.01), as expected.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that ABY-029 as an EGFR-targeted, fluorescent probe is not negatively impacted by neoadjuvant soft-tissue sarcoma therapies, although validation in humans is required.

Local treatment in initially unresected non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft-tissue sarcomas of children and adolescents: A retrospective single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Pediatric non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft-tissue sarcomas (NRSTS) are a heterogeneous group of aggressive tumors. Patients with locally advanced/initially unresected disease represent a subset of patients with unsatisfactory outcome: limited data are available on the best treatment approach, in particular regarding local therapy.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis concerned 71 patients < 21 years old with nonmetastatic, initially unresected adult-type NRSTS, treated at a referral center for pediatric sarcomas from 1990 to 2021. Patients were treated using a multimodal approach, based on the protocols adopted at the time of their diagnosis.

RESULTS

The series included a selected group of patients with unfavorable clinical characteristics, i.e., most cases had high-grade and large tumors, arising from axial sites in 61% of cases. All patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 58 (82%) had delayed surgery (R0 in 45 cases), and 50 (70%) had radiotherapy. Partial response to chemotherapy was observed in 46% of cases. With a median follow-up of 152 months (range, 18-233), 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 39.9% and 56.5%, respectively. Survival was significantly better for patients who responded to chemotherapy, and those who had a delayed R0 resection. Local relapse at 5 years was 7.7% for patients who did not undergo delayed surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Our series underscores the unsatisfactory outcome of initially unresected NRSTS patients. Improving the outcome of this patient category requires therapeutic strategies able to combine novel effective systemic therapies with a better-defined local treatment approach to offer patients the best chances to have R0 surgery.

Extremity and Truncal Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Risk Assessment and Multidisciplinary Management

Extremity and truncal soft tissue sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of rare cancers that arise from mesenchymal tissues. Hence, the adoption of tailored risk assessment and prognostication tools plays a crucial role in optimizing the decision-making for which of the many possible treatment strategies to select. Management of these tumors requires a multidisciplinary strategy, which has seen significant development in recent decades. Surgery has emerged as the primary treatment approach, with the main goal of achieving microscopic negative tumor margins. To reduce the likelihood of local recurrence, loco-regional treatments such as radiation therapy and isolated limb perfusion are often added to the treatment regimen in combination with surgery. This approach also enables surgeons to perform limb-sparing surgery, particularly in cases where a positive tumor margin is expected. Chemotherapy may also provide a further benefit in decreasing the probability of local recurrence or reducing distant metastasis in selected patients. Selecting the optimal treatment strategy for these rare tumors is best accomplished by an experienced multi-disciplinary team.

Surgical Margins in Musculoskeletal Sarcoma

» Negative margin resection of musculoskeletal sarcomas is associated with reduced risk of local recurrence.» There is limited evidence to support an absolute margin width of soft tissue or bone that correlates with reduced risk of local recurrence.» Factors intrinsic to the tumor, including histologic subtype, grade, growth pattern and neurovascular involvement impact margin status and local recurrence, and should be considered when evaluating a patient's individual risk after positive margins.» Appropriate use of adjuvant therapy, critical analysis of preoperative advanced cross-sectional imaging, and the involvement of a multidisciplinary team are essential to obtain negative margins when resecting sarcomas.

Emerging innovations and advancements in the treatment of extremity and truncal soft tissue sarcomas

In this special edition update on soft tissue sarcomas (STS), we cover classifications, emerging technologies, prognostic tools, radiation schemas, and treatment disparities in extremity and truncal STS. We discuss the importance of enhancing local control and reducing complications, including the role of innovative imaging, surgical guidance, and hypofractionated radiation. We review advancements in systemic and immunotherapeutic treatments and introduce disparities seen in this vulnerable population that must be considered to improve overall patient care.

[Limb-sparing resection of axillary soft tissue sarcomas]

OBJECTIVE

For patients with soft tissue sarcoma, surgical resection is a key element of curative therapy. Surgery is performed as a wide resection with microscopically negative margins (R0 resection) and as limb-sparing procedure whenever possible to preserve maximum function.

INDICATIONS

Soft tissue sarcoma, metastases.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Extensive disease with major neurovascular involvement, placement of biopsy tract necessitates extensive resection, palliative care.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

Extended deltopectoral approach. Release of pectoralis major and minor tendons. Vascular and neurologic exploration, identification of the axillary vessels and brachial plexus, placing of loops around major structures. Mobilization of these structures to achieve adequate exposure. Clipping of vessels entering the tumor. Tumor resection, suture marking for histological analysis. Soft tissue reconstruction by transosseous reinsertion of the pectoralis minor to the coracoid process. Drill channel placement, transosseous refixation of the pectoralis major to the humerus.

POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT

Shoulder abduction brace for 6 weeks, passive mobilization for 6-12 weeks followed by active mobilization. Compression sleeve. Oncological follow-up.

RESULTS

Between 2017 and 2022, wide resection was performed in 6 consecutive cases including 4 primary soft tissue sarcomas and 2 metastases. Primary R0 resection was achieved in 100%. Mean follow-up was 22.5 months (3-60 months). There were no local recurrences. Mean active shoulder abduction was 135.0 ± 41.4° (90-180°). Neurological deficits were not observed. Mean subjective shoulder function was 80.0 ± 21.0% (50-100%). The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score was 89.5% (32-100%), indicating good functional outcome in the study cohort.

Nomogram development and external validation for predicting overall survival and cancer-specific survival in patients with primary retroperitoneal sarcoma: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Primary retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) comprises over 70 histologic subtypes, yet there are limited studies that have developed prognostic nomograms for RPS patients to predict overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). The objective of this study was to construct prognostic nomograms for predicting OS and CSS in RPS patients.

METHODS

We identified a total of 1166 RPS patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database, and an additional 261 cases were collected from a tertiary cancer center. The study incorporated various clinicopathological and epidemiologic features as variables, and prediction windows for overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were set at 3, 5, and 7 years. Multivariable Cox models were utilized to develop the nomograms, and variable selection was performed using a backward procedure based on the Akaike Information Criterion. To evaluate the performance of the nomograms in terms of calibration and discrimination, we used calibration plots, coherence index, and area under the curve.

FINDINGS

The study included 818 patients in the development cohort, 348 patients in the internal validation cohort, and 261 patients in the external validation cohort. The backward procedure selected the following variables: age, French Federation of Cancer Centers Sarcoma Group (FNCLCC) grade, pre-/postoperative chemotherapy, tumor size, primary site surgery, and tumor multifocality. The validation results demonstrated that the nomograms had good calibration and discrimination, with C-indices of 0.76 for OS and 0.81 for CSS. Calibration plots also showed good consistency between the predicted and actual survival rates. Furthermore, the areas under the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves for the 3-, 5-, and 7-year OS (0.84, 0.82, and 0.78, respectively) and CSS (0.88, 0.88, and 0.85, respectively) confirmed the accuracy of the nomograms.

INTERPRETATION

Our study developed accurate nomograms to predict OS and CSS in patients with RPS. These nomograms have important clinical implications and can assist healthcare providers in making informed decisions regarding patient care and treatment options. They may also aid in patient counseling and stratification in clinical trials.

The impact of surgical resection margins on outcomes for adults with head and neck osteosarcomas: A Canadian sarcoma research and Clinical Collaboration (CanSaRCC) study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to describe the factors that influence outcome in adults with head and neck osteosarcoma (HNO) with a specific focus on the margin status.

METHODS

Patients with a diagnosis of HNO between the years 1996-2021 were reviewed from the Canadian Sarcoma Research and Clinical Collaboration (CanSaRCC) Database. Baseline characteristics, pathology, treatment, and outcomes were analyzed. Univariable (UVA) and multivariable (MVA) Cox regression models were performed. 5-year locoregional control rate and overall survival (OS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method and Log-Rank test.

RESULTS

Of 50 patients with a median age of 40 years (range 16-80), 27 (54%) were male. HNO commonly involved the mandible (n = 21, 42%) followed by maxilla (n = 15, 30%). Thirteen (33.3%) had low-intermediate grade and 26 (66.6%) had high grade tumors. Three patients (6%) had negative resection margins (>5 mm), 24 (48%) had close margins (1-5 mm), 15 (30%) had positive margins (<1mm) and 7 (16%) had unknown margin status. In total, 39 (78%) received chemotherapy - 22 (44%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy while 17 (34%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. A total of 12 (24%) patients received radiotherapy, of whom 8 (16%) had adjuvant and 3 (6%) had neo-adjuvant. Median follow-up time was 6.3 years (range 0.26-24.9). Disease recurred in 21 patients (42%), of whom 15 (30%) had local recurrence only, 4 (8%) had distant metastasis, and 2 (4%) had both local and distant recurrence. 5-year locoregional control rate and OS was 62% and 79.2% respectively. Resection margins <3 mm was associated with lower 5 years OS and locoregional control rate (Log-Rank p = 0.02, p = 0.01 respectively).

CONCLUSION

Osteosarcomas of the head and neck are rare and local recurrence remains a concern. Surgical resection with negative resection margins may improve survival, and a 3 mm resection margin threshold may optimize survival. Radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy should be considered in a multidisciplinary setting based on risk-features.

Near-infrared (NIR) imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) may assist in intraoperative decision making and improving surgical margin in bone and soft tissue tumor surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Negative surgical margins are significant in improving patient outcomes. However, surgeons can only rely on visual and tactile information to identify tumor margins intraoperatively. We hypothesized that intraoperative fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) could serve as an assistive technology to evaluate surgical margins and guide surgery in bone and soft tissue tumor surgery.

METHODS

Seventy patients with bone and soft tissue tumors were enrolled in this prospective, non-randomized, single-arm feasibility study. All patients received intravenous indocyanine green (0.5 mg/kg) before surgery. Near-infrared (NIR) imaging was performed on in situ tumors, wounds, and ex vivo specimens.

RESULTS

60/70 tumors were fluorescent at NIR imaging. The final surgical margins were positive in 2/55 cases, including 1/40 of the sarcomas. Surgical decisions were changed in 19 cases by NIR imaging, and in 7/19 cases final pathology demonstrated margins were improved. Fluorescence analysis showed that the tumor-to-background ratio (TBR) of primary malignant tumors was higher than that of benign, borderline, metastatic, and tumors ≥5 cm in size had higher TBR than those <5 cm.

CONCLUSIONS

ICG fluorescence imaging may be a beneficial technique to assist in surgical decision making and improving surgical margins in bone and soft tissue tumor surgery.

Ten recommendations for sarcoma surgery: consensus of the surgical societies based on the German S3 guideline "Adult Soft Tissue Sarcomas"

PURPOSE

The evidence-based (S3) guideline "Adult Soft Tissue Sarcomas" (AWMF Registry No. 032/044OL) published by the German Guideline Program in Oncology (GGPO) covers all aspects of sarcoma treatment with 229 recommendations. Representatives of all medical specialties involved in sarcoma treatment contributed to the guideline. This paper compiles the most important recommendations for surgeons selected by delegates from the surgical societies.

METHODS

A Delphi process was used. Delegates from the surgical societies involved in guideline process selected the 15 recommendations that were most important to them. Votes for similar recommendations were tallied. From the resulting ranked list, the 10 most frequently voted recommendations were selected and confirmed by consensus in the next step.

RESULTS

The statement "Resection of primary soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities should be performed as a wide resection. The goal is an R0 resection" was selected as the most important term. The next highest ranked recommendations were the need for a preoperative biopsy, performing preoperative MRI imaging with contrast, and discussing all cases before surgery in a multidisciplinary sarcoma committee.

CONCLUSION

The evidence-based guideline "Adult Soft Tissue Sarcomas" is a milestone to improve the care of sarcoma patients in Germany. The selection of the top ten recommendations by surgeons for surgeons has the potential to improve the dissemination and acceptance of the guideline and thus improve the overall outcome of sarcoma patients.

Anti-Tumor Effect and Neurotoxicity of Ethanol Adjuvant Therapy after Surgery of a Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Wide resection is the main treatment for sarcomas; however, when they are located near major nerves, their sacrifices might affect limb function. The efficacy of ethanol adjuvant therapy for sarcomas has not been established. In this study, the anti-tumor effect of ethanol, as well as its neurotoxicity, were assessed. In vitro anti-tumor effect of ethanol as evaluated using MTT, wound healing, and invasion assays on a synovial sarcoma cell line (HS-SY-II). In vivo, an assessment was conducted in nude mice (implanted with subcutaneous HS-SY-II) treated with different ethanol concentrations after surgery with a close margin. Sciatic nerve neurotoxicity was assessed with electrophysiological and histological examination. In vitro, ethanol concentrations at 30% and higher showed cytotoxic effects in MTT assay and markedly reduced migration and invasive ability of HS-SY-II. In vivo, both 30% and 99.5% ethanol concentrations, compared to 0% concentration, significantly reduced the local recurrence. However, in the group treated with 99.5% ethanol, nerve conduction tests showed prolonged latency and decreased amplitude, and morphological changes suggestive of nerve degeneration were observed in the sciatic nerve, while the 30% ethanol did not cause neurological damage. In conclusion, 30% is the optimal concentration for ethanol adjuvant therapy after close-margin surgery for sarcoma.

Effectiveness and Safety of Trabectedin and Radiotherapy for Patients With Myxoid Liposarcoma: A Nonrandomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Preclinical data about the synergistic activity of radiotherapy (RT) and trabectedin have been reported. The combination of trabectedin and RT in treating myxoid liposarcomas appears worth exploring.

Objective

To explore the effectiveness and safety of trabectedin combined with RT.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This international, open-label, phase 2 nonrandomized clinical trial including 46 patients with myxoid liposarcoma was conducted in 4 centers in Spain, 1 in Italy, and 2 in France from July 1, 2016, to September 30, 2019. Eligible patients had to have a histologic, centrally reviewed diagnosis of localized resectable myxoid liposarcoma arising from an extremity or the trunk wall.

Interventions

Trabectedin was administered at the recommended dose stemming from the phase 1 trial (1.5 mg/m2), with intravenous infusion during 24 hours every 21 days for a total of 3 cycles. Radiotherapy was started after completion of the first trabectedin infusion (cycle 1, day 2). Patients received 25 fractions of radiation for a total of 45 Gy. Surgery was planned 3 to 4 weeks after the administration of the last preoperative cycle and not until 4 weeks after the end of preoperative RT. Pathologic specimens were mapped in tumor sections to estimate the histologic changes and the percentage of viable tumor after neoadjuvant treatment.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary objective of the phase 2 part of the study was overall response. Secondary objectives were effectiveness measured by relapse-free survival and activity measured by functional imaging and pathologic response.

Results

A total of 46 patients were enrolled. Four patients were not evaluable. The median age was 43 years (range, 18-77 years), and 31 patients were male (67%). Overall, 9 of 41 patients (22%) achieved a partial response with neoadjuvant treatment with trabectedin and RT, with 5 of 39 patients (13%) achieving a complete pathologic response and 20 of 39 patients (51%) having 10% or less of a viable remaining tumor. Partial responses according to Choi criteria were observed in 24 of 29 evaluable patients (83%), and no patient had disease progression. Treatment was well tolerated.

Conclusions and Relevance

Although the primary end point of this phase 2 nonrandomized clinical trial was not met (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors response in ≥70% of patients), results suggest this combination was well tolerated and effective in terms of pathologic response. Thus, trabectedin plus RT might be a treatment option regarding tolerability; further evidence should be generated in this setting.

Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging may detect tumour residuals during surgery for bone and soft-tissue tumours

The aim of this study was to determine the rate of indocyanine green (ICG) staining of bone and soft-tissue tumours, as well as the stability and accuracy of ICG fluorescence imaging in detecting tumour residuals during surgery for bone and soft-tissue tumours. ICG fluorescence imaging was performed during surgery in 34 patients with bone and soft-tissue tumours. ICG was administered intravenously at a dose of 2 mg/kg over a period of 60 minutes on the day prior to surgery. The tumour stain rate and signal-to-background ratio of each tumour were post hoc analyzed. After tumour resection, the tumour bed was scanned to locate sites with fluorescence residuals, which were subsequently inspected and biopsied. The overall tumour stain rate was 88% (30/34 patients), and specific stain rates included 90% for osteosarcomas and 92% for giant cell tumours. For malignant tumours, the overall stain rate was 94%, while it was 82% for benign tumours. The ICG tumour stain was not influenced by different pathologies, such as malignant versus benign pathology, the reception (or lack thereof) of neoadjuvant chemotherapies, the length of time between drug administration and surgery, the number of doses of denosumab for patients with giant cell tumours, or the tumour response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The overall accuracy rate of successfully predicting tumour residuals using fluorescence was 49% (23/47 pieces of tissue). The accuracy rate after en bloc resection was significantly lower than that after piecemeal resection (16% vs 71%; p < 0.001). A high percentage of bone and soft-tissue tumours can be stained by ICG and the tumour staining with ICG was stable. This approach can be used in both benign and malignant tumours, regardless of whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy is adopted. The technique is also useful to detect tumour residuals in the wound, especially in patients undergoing piecemeal resection.

Pedicled Functional Latissimus Flaps for Reconstruction of the Upper Extremity following Resection of Soft-Tissue Sarcomas

(1) Background: Resection of soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) of the upper extremity can result in substantial functional impairment with limited options for functional reconstruction. Free functional latissimus flaps have been utilized to restore function of the thigh; however, there is limited data on the use of latissimus flaps for functional reconstruction in the upper extremity. As such, we sought to evaluate our institutional experience with these flaps. (2) Methods: We reviewed ten (seven male; three female; and a mean age of 63 years) patients undergoing soft-tissue sarcoma resection involving the triceps (n = 4), biceps (n = 4), and deltoid (n = 2) reconstructed with a pedicled functional latissimus flap. All surviving patients had at least 1 year of follow-up, with a mean follow-up of 5 years. (3) Results: The mean elbow range of motion and shoulder elevation were 105° and 150°. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 88%, and the muscle strength was four. Four patients had a recipient site wound complication. There were no flap losses. One patient sustained a radiation-associated humerus fracture 5 years postoperatively, treated nonoperatively. (4) Conclusions: Although early complications are high, pedicled functional latissimus flaps allow for wound coverage, potential space obliteration, and restoration of function in the upper extremity following resection of large soft tissue sarcomas.

Surgical management of extremity rhabdomyosarcoma: A consensus opinion from the Children's Oncology Group, the European Pediatric Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Study Group, and the Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe

The treatment of extremity rhabdomyosarcoma remains a challenge due to several adverse prognostic factors frequently associated with this tumor site. The International Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Database Consortium (INSTRuCT) is a collaboration of the Children's Oncology Group Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Committee, the European Pediatric Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Study Group, and the Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe. The INSTRuCT surgical committee developed an internationally applicable consensus opinion document for the surgical treatment of extremity rhabdomyosarcoma. This document addresses surgical management, including biopsy, nodal staging, timing of therapy, resection and reexcision, reconstruction, and surgical approach at relapse.

The role of patient advocates and sarcoma community initiatives in musculoskeletal oncology. Moving towards Evidence-Based Advocacy to empower Evidence-Based Medicine

Musculoskeletal sarcomas are rare cancers that as the whole family of sarcomas pose several challenges at different levels, ranging from medical knowledge to clinical research and policymaking. Addressing these challenges, necessarily calls for the inclusion of patient perspective inside the decision-making processes of every area that contributes to treatment improvement, from the provision of high-quality services by healthcare organisations to research issues. Without patient-provided inputs to inform decisions, the current paradigm of patient-centred care makes no sense and sounds at the least irrational if not unethical. Putting PROMs on "centre stage" in cancer research and care, could allow to build a truly Evidence Based Advocacy (EBA) and therefore to empower Evidence Based Medicine (EBM).

The significance of margins in pediatric Non-Rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas: Consensus on surgical margin definition harmonization from the INternational Soft Tissue SaRcoma ConsorTium (INSTRuCT)

BACKGROUND

Margin status following surgery in children, adolescents, and young adults with soft tissue sarcomas is controversial and has been defined differently by various specialties, with definitions changing over time and by cooperative group. The International Soft Tissue Sarcoma Consortium (INSTRuCT) is a collaboration of the Children's Oncology Group (COG) Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee, European pediatric Soft Tissue sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG), and the European Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS) devoted to improving patient outcomes by pooling and mining cooperative group clinical trial data.

METHODS

The INSTRuCT non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma (NRSTS) working group aimed to develop international harmonized recommendations regarding surgical margin assessment and definitions in children and adolescents with soft tissue tumors.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

This review addresses accepted principles and areas of controversy, including the perspectives of surgeons, pathologists, radiation oncologists, and pediatric oncologists, to develop a framework for building common guidelines for future research.

Prognostic factors of the synovial sarcoma of the extremities: imaging does matter

OBJECTIVES

Synovial sarcomas (SS) of the extremities are rare soft tissue sarcomas that are more common in young adults. We deciphered the imaging phenotype of SS with the aim to determine if imaging could provide an incremental value to currently known prognostic factors (PF)-age and histological grade-to predict long-term overall survival (OS).

METHODS

This retrospective multicenter study included consecutive pediatric and adult patients with synovial sarcomas of the extremities from December 2002 to August 2020. Inclusion criteria were (i) a follow-up greater than 5 years and (ii) available pre-therapeutic MRI. A subset analysis included MRI and CT-scan. Clinical, pathological, and imaging variables were collected in all patients. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the association of these variables with OS using univariate and multivariate Cox regressions.

RESULTS

Out of 428 patients screened for eligibility, 98 patients (mean age: 37.1 ± 15.2 years) were included (MRI: n = 98/98, CT scan: n = 34/98; 35%). The median OS was 75.25 months (IQR = 55.50-109.12) and thirty-six patients (n = 36/98;37%) died during follow-up. The recurrence rate was 12.2% (n =12/98). SS lesions were mostly grade 2 (57/98; 58%). On MRI, SS had a mean long-axis diameter of 67.5 ± 38.3 mm. On CT scan, 44% (15/34) were calcified. Grade (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.71; 95%CI = 1.30-5.66; p = 0.008), size of the lesions evaluated on MRI (HR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.01-1.03; p < 0.001), and calcifications on CT scan (HR = 0.10; 95% CI = 0.02-0.50; p = 0.005) were independent PF of OS.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that imaging biomarkers can be used to predict long-term outcome in patients with SS. Strikingly, the presence of calcifications on CT scan is associated with favorable outcome and provides an incremental value over existing PF such as age, grade, and size.

KEY POINTS

• Beyond its diagnostic value, MRI is a pre-operative prognostic tool in synovial sarcomas of the extremities since the size of the lesion is an important prognostic factor. • Calcifications on CT scans are independently and significantly associated with prolonged overall survival.

Role of Imaging in Initial Prognostication of Locally Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcomas

BACKGROUND

Although imaging is central in the initial staging of patients with soft tissue sarcomas (STS), it remains underused and few radiological features are currently used in practice for prognostication and to help guide the best therapeutic strategy. Yet, several prognostic qualitative and quantitative characteristics from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) have been identified over these last decades.

OBJECTIVE

After an overview of the current validated prognostic features based on baseline imaging and their integration into prognostic tools, such as nomograms used by clinicians, the aim of this review is to summarize more complex and innovative MRI, PET, and radiomics features, and to highlight their role to predict indirectly (through histologic grade) or directly the patients' outcomes.

Intermuscular extremity myxoid liposarcoma can be managed by marginal resection following neoadjuvant radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Compared with other soft tissue sarcomas, myxoid liposarcoma (MLS) occurs in younger patients, has a propensity for intermuscular locations and is highly radiosensitive. With pre-operative radiotherapy, intermuscular MLS demonstrates substantial volume reduction and can be easily separated from surrounding tissues during resection. However, it is unclear whether marginal excision of MLS is oncologically safe. This study aimed to assess the association between margins and survival in irradiated, intermuscular MLS.

METHODS

The study identified 198 patients from seven sarcoma centres with a first presentation of localized, extremity, intermuscular MLS that received pre-operative radiotherapy and was diagnosed between 1990 and 2017. Patient and treatment characteristics, radiological and histological responses to neoadjuvant treatment and clinical surveillance were recorded.

RESULTS

Margins were microscopically positive in 11% (n = 22), <1.0 mm in 15% (n = 29) and ≥1.0 mm in 72% (n = 143). There was no association between margin status and local recurrence-free, metastasis-free or overall survival. This finding held true even in patients at higher risk of worse overall survival based on multivariable analysis (% round cell≥5%, percentage ellipsoid tumour volume change ≤ -60.1%).

CONCLUSION

Irradiated, extremity, intermuscular myxoid liposarcoma can safely undergo marginal resection without compromising oncologic control.

Secondary osteosarcoma associated with osteofibrous dysplasia: a case report

Secondary osteosarcoma is a rare complication of primary malignancies and benign bone lesions. There are various types of diseases that cause secondary osteosarcoma. A 15-year-old male presented at our medical center complaining of pain and redness in the right lower leg. He had been diagnosed with osteofibrous dysplasia in the right tibia when he was 2 years old and since then had been followed up. Although he had a pathological fracture of the right tibia at the age of 7, his fracture healed with a plaster cast and did not require surgery. At the time of the patient's last visit, a radiograph revealed a periosteal reaction as well as erosion of the bone cortex. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an infiltrative area in the soft tissue surrounding the osteofibrous dysplasia lesion in the tibia. Consequent to pathological examination (through bone biopsy), the patient was diagnosed with secondary osteosarcoma. The patient underwent chemotherapy and extensive resection with liquid nitrogen. He has been progressing satisfactorily after the operation. The present case is the first report of secondary osteosarcoma associated with osteofibrous dysplasia. During the long-term follow-up of osteofibrous dysplasia, oncologists should be aware of the possibility of secondary osteosarcoma.

Outcome After Surgical Treatment of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP): Does it Require Extensive Follow-up and What is an Adequate Resection Margin?

INTRODUCTION

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare cutaneous tumour of indeterminate malignant potential. The mainstay treatment for DFSP is surgical resection. Given the reported high local recurrence rate, the ideal resection margin for DFSP is unclear. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the local recurrence and metastatic rate of DFSP and DFSP with fibrosarcomatous degeneration (FS-DFSP), with specific attention to margin status in an attempt to address the issue of margin adequacy.

METHODS

Patients treated for DFSP at a single sarcoma centre were identified from a prospective database. DFSP and FS-DFSP patients with and without prior surgery were included. Patients were followed after surgery to monitor complications, local recurrence and metastasis.

RESULTS

The study included 200 patients: 166 patients with DFSP and 34 patients with FS-DFSP. In the DFSP group, nine patients (5.4%) had positive margins, one case (0.6%) developed local recurrence (LR) and no patients developed distant metastases. In the FS-DFSP group, seven patients (20.6%) had positive margins, six patients (17.6%) developed local recurrence (LR) and eight patients (23.5%) developed distant metastases, of which three (37.5%) were in the lungs, one (12.5%) in bone and four (50%) in other soft tissue sites.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Local recurrence and metastases are extremely rare in patients with DFSP. Achieving a negative as opposed to a wide surgical margin may be sufficient to avoid local recurrence of most DFSP. We suggest that no ongoing surveillance for local or systemic relapse is required for DFSP patients after negative margin resection. For FS-DFSP, we recommend the same surveillance schedule, based on tumour grade, as other soft tissue sarcoma.

Arterial Reconstruction for En-Bloc Resection of Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Single Tertiary Center Experience

BACKGROUND

Tertiary centers recruit a number of locally advanced or recurrent soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) that require large tissue loss including vessels. Arterial reconstruction (AR) in the context of patients with cancer who may receive radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT) is challenging.

METHODS

This retrospective single centre cohort study includes patients affected by extremities or trunk STS who underwent an AR during sarcoma resection, between October 2015 and February 2021 at Institut Curie. The endpoints of this study were to analyze the morbidity, the patency, and the impact on surgical margins of such associations.

RESULTS

Of 976 patients operated, 21 (2.15%) had AR. Seventeen (81%) had American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores ≥2. Locations were as follows: intra-abdominal n = 9 (43%), lower limb n = 8 (38%), upper limb n = 3 (14%), and cervical n = 1 (5%). N = 11 (52.3%) and n = 5 (23.8%) received RT or were operated on a preirradiated field, respectively. N = 7 (34%) patients received CT. Vein graft was used in n = 12 (57%). Musculo-cutaneous flaps were associated in n = 13 (62%) patients. Margins of resection were R0 n = 19 (90.4%), R1 n = 2, and R2 n = 0. The median follow-up was 16 months [6-44]. No postoperative death occurred. Two patients died of metastasis. At 1, 6, 12, and 24 months the primary patency was 80.9%, 71.4%, 87.5%, and 88.9%, respectively. Seven patients (33%) presented perioperative infection. Reoperation rate at 1, 6, and 12 months were 38%, 14%, and 5%, respectively. Ten patients (48%) presented persistent lymphoedema during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

AR enlarges the possibilities of STS excision with healthy margins and achieves good patency. Majority of patients were ASA ≥ 2 and received adjuvant treatments. In this particular context, morbidity is high and requires an upfront multidisciplinary management taking into account all these specific issues.

Contemporary role of amputation for patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma

INTRODUCTION

limb-sparing surgery is the mainstream treatment for primary extremity soft tissue sarcoma (ESTS) at referral centers, following advances in surgical reconstructions and multimodal management. However, amputation is still needed in selected patients and has not yet been described for a ESTS cohort in a contemporary scenario.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

consecutive patients who underwent surgery for primary ESTS from 2006 to 2018 were extracted from a prospectively collected database at our reference center. Patients receiving amputation for either primary tumor or local recurrence (LR) after limb-sparing surgery were selected for analysis.

RESULTS

Among 1628 primary ESTS, 29 patients underwent primary amputation (1.8%), 22/1159 (1.9%) for upper limb and 7/469 (1.5%) for lower limb ESTS. Patients were mainly affected by grade III FNCLCC (89.6%) of notable dimension (median size 16 cm, IQR 10-24). 65.5% of patients received preoperative treatments (systemic or regional chemotherapy, radiotherapy or chemo-radiation). Secondary amputation for LR was performed after a median of 23 months in 16/1599 patients (1%). Median survival time was 16.2 and 29.6 months after primary or secondary amputation respectively. Factors prompting the need for a primary amputation were most often a combination of multifocal disease, bone invasion and pain or neurovascular bundle involvement and relevant comorbidities, mainly for grade III tumors in elderly patients.

CONCLUSION

Contemporary rate of amputation for ESTS at a reference center is extremely low. Still, amputation is required in selected cases with advanced presentations, especially in elderly, frail patients.

Personalized Surgical Planning for Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Popliteal Fossa with a Novel 3D Imaging Technique

OBJECTIVE

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) arising from the popliteal fossa pose surgical challenges due to their proximity to critical neurovascular structures. This study aimed to investigate whether a novel 3D imaging technique highlighting these key anatomical structures could facilitate preoperative planning and improve surgical outcomes in STS.

METHODS

This was a prospective, observational, pilot study. Between November 2019 and December 2020, 27 patients with STS of the popliteal fossa undergoing limb-sparing procedures were enrolled and assigned to either a control or intervention group. Control patients underwent traditional preoperative planning with separate computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and magnetic resonance hydrography. In the intervention group, 3D images were generated from these images, the tumor and skeletomuscular and neurovascular structures were revealed in three dimensions, and this was visualized on the surgeon's smartphone or computer. Primary endpoints were surgical margins and complications. Secondary endpoints included operative time, blood loss, serum C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, length of in-hospital stay, and limb function. Comparisons between groups were made using independent-sample t-tests for continuous data and the Mann-Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests for categorical data.

RESULTS

There was a lower but not significantly different inadvertent positive margin rate (1/15 vs. 3/12, P = 0.294), significantly shorter hospital stay (P = 0.049), and less numbers ≥75th percentile of operative time (P = 0.037) and blood loss (P = 0.024) in the intervention group. Differences in surgical complications, operative time, blood loss, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels on the second postoperative day, and limb functional scores were statistically insignificant.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel 3D imaging technique facilitates complex preoperative planning and limb-salvage surgical procedures for patients with STS of the popliteal fossa, and this may affect how surgical planning is performed in the future.

Efficacy and safety of carbon ion radiotherapy for bone sarcomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

This study aimed to systematically evaluate and conduct a meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of carbon ion radiotherapy for bone sarcomas.

Methods

We searched for articles using the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and the Web of Science databases from their inception to January 12, 2022. Two researchers independently screened the literature and extracted data based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA version 14.0.

Results

We searched for 4378 candidate articles, of which 12 studies were included in our study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the 897 BSs patients who received carbon ion radiotherapy in the studies, 526 patients had chordoma, 255 patients had chondrosarcoma, 112 patients had osteosarcoma, and 4 patients had other sarcomas. The local control rate at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 years in these studies were 98.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.961–1.009, I² = 0%), 85.8% (95% CI = 0.687–1.030, I² = 91%), 86% (95% CI = 0.763–0.957, I² = 85.3%), 91.1% (95% CI = 0.849–0.974), 74.3% (95% CI = 0.666–0.820, I² = 85.2%), and 64.7% (95% CI = 0.451–0.843, I² = 95.3%), respectively. The overall survival rate at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 years in these studies were 99.9% (95% CI = 0.995–1.004, I² = 0%), 89.6% (95% CI = 0.811–0.980, I² = 96.6%), 85% (95% CI = 0.750–0.950, I² = 89.4%), 92.4% (95% CI = 0.866–0.982), 72.7% (95% CI = 0.609–0.844, I² = 95.3%), and 72.1% (95% CI = 0.661–0.781, I² = 46.5%), respectively. Across all studies, the incidence of acute and late toxicities was mainly grade 1 to grade 2, and grade 1 to grade 3, respectively.

Conclusion

As an advanced radiotherapy, carbon ion radiotherapy is promising for patients with bone sarcomas that are unresectable or residual after incomplete surgery. The data indicated that carbon ion radiotherapy was safe and effective for bone sarcomas, showing promising results for local control, overall survival, and lower acute and late toxicity.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021258480.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13014-022-02089-0.

A three-dimensional visualization of the full-field surgical region based on thin-slice MRI: A helpful approach for simultaneously guiding tumor resection and perforator flap elevation

Background

The goal of the current study was to explore the application of preoperative three-dimensional reconstruction (3DR) based on thin-slice magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the simultaneous guidance of en bloc tumor resection and adjacent perforator flap elevation.

Methods

The prospective cohort included 35 patients diagnosed with either soft tissue sarcoma or squamous cell skin cancer between 2019 and 2021. The preoperative 3DR based on thin-slice MRI illustrated the spatial anatomical relationship among the tumor, underlying muscle, adjacent perforator vessels, and bone around the surgical region. The accuracy of preoperative imaging data was verified by intraoperative vessel dissection and postoperative pathological measurements.

Results

Tumor size from 3DR data showed relatively high concordance rates with pathological measurements within the 95% limits of agreement. An average of three perforators (range: 1–7) with a mean diameter of 0.32 cm (range: 0.18–0.74 cm) from the 3DR were present in our study. The average distance between tumor boundary and perforator piercing sites on the 3DR was 2.2 cm (range: 1.2–7.7 cm). The average length of artery perforator coursing along the subcutaneous tissue was 5.8 cm (range: 3.3–25.1 cm). The mean flap harvest time was 55 mins (range: 36–97 min). The average flap size was 92.2 cm² (range: 32–126 cm²). One perforator flap occurred distal partial necrosis.

Conclusion

A thorough understanding of anatomical structures in the surgical region according to full-field 3DR based on thin-slice MRI can improve the performance of radical resection of the tumor and adjacent perforator flap transfer, especially for junior surgeons with a poor experience.

Prediction tools for the personalized management of soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremity

Prediction tools are instruments which are commonly used to estimate the prognosis in oncology and facilitate clinical decision-making in a more personalized manner. Their popularity is shown by the increasing numbers of prediction tools, which have been described in the medical literature. Many of these tools have been shown to be useful in the field of soft-tissue sarcoma of the extremities (eSTS). In this annotation, we aim to provide an overview of the available prediction tools for eSTS, provide an approach for clinicians to evaluate the performance and usefulness of the available tools for their own patients, and discuss their possible applications in the management of patients with an eSTS.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(9):1011-1016.

A systematic review of margin status in retroperitoneal liposarcomas: Does the R0 margin matter?

Retroperitoneal liposarcomas (RPLPSs) are a rare tumor group for which current guidelines recommend aggressive en bloc resection to attain microscopically negative (R0) margins. To ensure R0 margins, resection of adherent or adjacent organs is often required. However, it is still unclear if R0 margins confer any additional benefit to patients over a grossly negative but microscopically positive (R1) margin. We performed a systematic search of PubMed and Embase databases for studies including patients receiving R0 or R1 resection for RPLPS. Nine retrospective cohort studies, one prospective cohort study, and 49 case reports/case series were included. A total of 552 patients with RPLPS were evaluated: 346 underwent R0 resection and 206 underwent R1 resection. In the R0 group, 5-year overall survival (OS) ranged from 58.3% to 85.7%; local recurrence (LR) ranged from 45.5% to 52.3%. In the R1 group, 5-year OS ranged from 35% to 55.3%; LR ranged from 66.7% to 91.7%. Among cohort studies, OS, disease-free survival (DFS), LR rate, and LR-free survival (LRFS) were significantly associated with R0 resections. Assessment of case series and reports suggested that the R0 margin led to a slightly higher morbidity than that of R1. In conclusion, this review found the R0 margin to be associated with reductions in LR rates and improved OS when compared with the R1 margins, though accompanied by slight increases in morbidity. The roles of tumor histotype and perioperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy were not well-elucidated in this review.

Surgical Outcomes of Primary Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans: A Retrospective, Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a locally aggressive tumor with a low rate of metastatic disease. Previous series have shown a superiority of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) compared with wide local excision (WLE). Likewise, there is paucity of data examining the long-term follow-up of patients.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the current study was to examine the outcome of surgical treatment of primary DFSP of the trunk and extremities.

METHODS

We reviewed 236 patients (115 females, 121 males, mean age 41 ± 15 years) undergoing MMS (n = 81, 34%) or WLE (n = 155, 66%) to treat a primary DFSP. Mean tumor size and follow-up was 4 ± 2 cm and 7 years, respectively. Final margins were negative in 230 (97%) patients.

RESULTS

There was no difference (p > 0.05) in patient age, sex, tumor size, negative margin excision, or history of a previous inadvertent excision between patients who underwent WLE and those undergoing MMS. There were two cases of local recurrence and two cases of metastasis, with no difference in the 5-year local recurrence-free survival (98% vs. 99%, p = 0.69) or metastatic-free survival (98% vs. 100%, p= 0.27) between WLE and MMS.

CONCLUSION

There was no difference in oncologic outcome comparing MMS with WLE for DFSP outside the head and neck. The goal of treatment for DFSP is to achieve a negative margin, regardless of surgical treatment modalities. A 'less is more' approach to follow-up can likely be taken for patients with completely resected DFSP in easy-to-examine anatomical areas. In these patients, no formal follow-up should be required.

Gemcitabine Plus Anlotinib Is Effective and Safe Compared to Gemcitabine Plus Docetaxel in Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Objective

The aim of this study is to compare gemcitabine (G) plus docetaxel (D) versus G plus anlotinib (A) for advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS).

Methods

We retrospectively investigated 122 patients with locally advanced or metastatic STS who were treated with either G+D or G+A between July 2016 and October 2021 and compared the efficacy and toxicity of G+D and G+A. The primary endpoints were median progression-free survival (PFS) and the proportion of patients with grade ≥3 adverse events. We also analyzed differences in the clinical efficacy of G+D and G+A in leiomyosarcoma, and the differences in the clinical efficacy of G+D and G+A as first-line therapy.

Results

Overall, 122 patients were included (81 patients receiving G+D and 41 patients receiving G+A) with a median age of 55 years. The main histological types are leiomyosarcoma, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, and liposarcoma. After a median follow-up of 25 months, PFS did not differ between patients treated with G+D and those treated with G+A (median PFS: 5.8 months and 6.8 months, p = 0.39), and overall survival (OS) was similar (median OS: 14.7 vs. 13.3 months, p = 0.75) with a similar objective response rate (18.5% vs. 14.6%, p = 0.17), whereas the proportion of patients with grade ≥3 adverse events treated with G+D was significantly higher than those treated with G+A (68% vs. 44%, p &lt; 0.05). Subgroup analysis of leiomyosarcoma patients (47.5% of the patients) and first-line treatment patients (46.7% of the patients) shows that PFS was not significantly different between the two groups (LMS: median PFS: 6.5 months vs. 7.5 months, p = 0.08; first-line treatment: median PFS: 6.2 months vs. 7.1 months, p = 0.51).

Conclusion

Compared with gemcitabine plus docetaxel for advanced STS, gemcitabine plus anlotinib achieved a similar response rate on median PFS and OS, but lower toxicity. These results suggest that gemcitabine plus anlotinib may be an effective and safe strategy for advanced STS.

Preoperative Planning Using Three-Dimensional Multimodality Imaging for Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Axilla: A Pilot Study

Axillary soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is challenging due to its proximity to vital neurovascular bundles. We conducted a prospective observational pilot study to explore whether 3D multimodality imaging (3DMMI) can improve preoperative planning for and surgical outcomes of patients with axillary STS. Twenty-one patients with STS (diameter > 5 cm) of the axilla were allocated, at their discretion, to either a control group undergoing traditional preoperative planning with separate computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and magnetic resonance neurography, or an intervention group where 3DMMI, digitally created based on these images, revealed the tumour and adjacent skeletomuscular and neurovascular structures in three dimensions. Primary outcome measures were surgical margins and surgical complications. Secondary outcomes included operative time, blood loss, serum C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, length of hospital stay, and limb function. The 3DMMI group had a lower, although not significantly different, inadvertent positive margin rate (1/12 vs. 3/9, p = 0.272), a significantly shorter operative time (p = 0.048), reduced blood loss (p = 0.038), and reduced length of hospital stay (p = 0.046). This endorses larger trials to improve complex surgical procedures and study how preoperative planning could be performed in the future.

Radiation Therapy for Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Radiation therapy is an integral component of local management with oncologic resection for soft tissue sarcoma. Radiotherapy is indicated in patients at an increased risk of local recurrence so that improved local control may be achieved. Sequencing of radiotherapy and resection should be determined by multidisciplinary input before treatment initiation. For most patients, preoperative delivery of radiation therapy is preferred. In patients initially thought to be at low risk for local recurrence and found to have unexpected adverse pathologic features at resection, postoperative radiation therapy is indicated. The use of radiation therapy for retroperitoneal sarcoma is controversial; when used, preoperative delivery of radiation is recommended.

How Do the Outcomes of Radiation-Associated Pelvic and Sacral Bone Sarcomas Compare to Primary Osteosarcomas following Surgical Resection?

Radiation-associated sarcoma of the pelvis and/or sacrum (RASB) is a rare but challenging disease process associated with a poor prognosis. We hypothesized that patients with RASB would have worse surgical and oncologic outcomes than patients diagnosed with primary pelvic or sacral bone sarcomas. This was a retrospective, multi-institution, comparative analysis. We reviewed surgically treated patients from multiple tertiary care centers who were diagnosed with a localized RASB. We also identified a comparison group including all patients diagnosed with a primary localized pelvic or sacral osteosarcoma/spindle cell sarcoma of bone (POPS). There were 35 patients with localized RASB and 73 patients with POPS treated with surgical resection. Patients with RASB were older than those with POPS (57 years vs. 38 years, p < 0.001). Patients with RASB were less likely to receive chemotherapy (71% for RASB vs. 90% for POPS, p = 0.01). Seventeen percent of patients with RASB died in the perioperative period (within 90 days of surgery) as compared to 4% with POPS (p = 0.03). Five-year disease-specific survival (DSS) (31% vs. 54% p = 0.02) was worse for patients with RASB vs. POPS. There was no difference in 5-year local recurrence free survival (LRFS) or metastasis free survival (MFS). RASB and POPS present challenging disease processes with poor oncologic outcomes. Rates of perioperative mortality and 5-year DSS are worse for RASB when compared to POPS.

Adult Soft-Tissue Sarcomas of the Extremities

➤

Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) in adults comprise a heterogeneous group of tumors of mesenchymal origin that share similar biological patterns of local tumor growth and metastatic dissemination.

➤

The judicious use of imaging studies, biopsy techniques, and pathological evaluations is essential for accurate diagnosis and for planning treatment strategy.

➤

Wide local resection and radiation therapy form the cornerstone of management of high-grade STS. The role of adjuvant radiation therapy is questionable in the management of small (≤5 cm) superficial lesions that can be resected with negative margins. Chemotherapy given to patients who have nonmetastatic, high-grade STS results in varying benefit in terms of local tumor control and overall survival.

➤

Coordinated care by a multidisciplinary team of trained surgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, and pathologists has been documented to improve local tumor control and the overall survival of patients with STS.

➤

Although considerable progress in tumor diagnostics and targeted therapies has been made over the past 2 decades, recommendations and controversies relating to tumor imaging and margins of resection have not changed.

Efficacy of Pazopanib in the Treatment of Metastatic Malignant Giant Cell Tumor of Soft Tissue: A Case Report

Giant cell tumor of soft tissue (GCT-ST), histologically resembling the GCT of the bone, is a rare tumor. The tumor has been categorized to have low malignancy. Few reports of local recurrence or distant metastasis and the use of chemotherapeutic agents for metastatic GCT-ST exist. Herein, we report the efficacy of pazopanib in a 78-year-old Japanese woman with GCT in the intrinsic back musculature with both post-operative local recurrence and lung metastasis. The patient visited the hospital with a three-month history of a palpable mass in the intrinsic back musculature. Following magnetic resonance imaging, the tumor predominantly exhibited slight hyperintensity on T2-weighted images and intense heterogeneous enhancement on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images. A percutaneous needle biopsy was performed, and the pathological diagnosis was GCT-ST. The patient underwent surgery, and three months later she presented with not only local recurrence but also multiple lung metastases. The patient was immediately treated with pazopanib 400 mg once daily. One month after initiating treatment, a partial response in the pulmonary lesions was observed, and stable disease (SD) effects lasted for 11 months without severe adverse effects. Therefore, pazopanib treatment for metastatic malignant giant cell tumor of soft tissue achieved reasonable success.

Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Multi-Institutional Validation of Prognostic Nomograms

BACKGROUND

Prognostic nomograms for patients with resected extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS) include the Sarculator and Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSKCC) nomograms. We sought to validate these two nomograms within a large, modern, multi-institutional cohort of resected primary extremity STS patients.

METHODS

Resected primary extremity STS patients from 2000 to 2017 were identified across nine high-volume U.S. institutions. Predicted 5- and 10-year overall survival (OS) and distant metastases cumulative incidence (DMCI), and 4-, 8-, and 12-year disease-specific survival (DSS) were calculated with Sarculator and MSKCC nomograms, respectively. Predicted survival probabilities stratified in quintiles were compared in calibration plots to observed survival assessed by Kaplan-Meier estimates. Cumulative incidence was estimated for DMCI. Harrell's concordance index (C-index) assessed discriminative ability of nomograms.

RESULTS

A total of 1326 patients underwent resection of primary extremity STS. Common histologies included: undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (35%), fibrosarcoma (13%), and leiomyosarcoma (9%). Median tumor size was 8.0 cm (IQR 4.5-13.0). Tumor grade distribution was: Grade 1 (13%), Grade 2 (9%), Grade 3 (78%). Median OS was 172 months, with estimated 5- and 10-year OS of 70% and 58%. C-indices for 5- and 10-year OS (Sarculator) were 0.72 (95% CI 0.70-0.75) and 0.73 (95% CI 0.70-0.75), and 0.72 (95% CI 0.69-0.75) for 5- and 10-year DMCI. C-indices for 4-, 8-, and 12-year DSS (MSKCC) were 0.71 (95% CI 0.68-0.75). Calibration plots showed good prognostication across all outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarculator and MSKCC nomograms demonstrated good prognostic ability for survival and recurrence outcomes in a modern, multi-institutional validation cohort of resected primary extremity STS patients. External validation of these nomograms supports their ongoing incorporation into clinical practice.