Pleuropneumonectomy as Salvage Therapy in Children Suffering from Primary or Metastatic Sarcomas with Pleural Localizations

Extrapleural pneumonectomy for sarcoma: Outcomes of adult patients at a specialized center

BACKGROUND

Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) is a complex surgical procedure involving en-bloc resection of the parietal and visceral pleura, lung, pericardium, and ipsilateral diaphragm. Small case series of pleural-based sarcoma of predominantly pediatric patients suggest EPP may be a life-prolonging surgical option. We aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of adults who underwent EPP at a specialized sarcoma center.

METHODS

Clinicopathologic variables, surgical details, and follow-up information were extracted for patients undergoing EPP for pleural-based sarcoma between August 2017 and December 2020. Primary outcomes were event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) from the date of EPP. Secondary outcomes were disease-free interval (DFI) prior to EPP, and early and late postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Eight patients were identified, seven with soft tissue sarcoma and one with bone sarcoma. Patients had either localized disease with a primary thoracic sarcoma, sarcoma recurrent to the thorax, or de novo metastatic disease. All patients underwent resection of their pleural-based sarcoma by an experienced cardiothoracic surgeon, and some patients had pre or postoperative treatment. The perioperative morbidity was comparable with previously published reports of EPP performed in mesothelioma patients. At median follow-up of 22.5 months, median EFS was 6.0 months and OS was 20.7 months. Six patients (75%) had disease recurrence; five (62.5%) died of progressive disease. Two patients (25%) had not recurred: one died of a radiation-related esophageal rupture, and one was alive with no evidence of disease at 37.0 months. Characteristics of those with the longest EFS included low-grade histology and achieving a metabolic response to preoperative chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

In adults with pleural-based sarcoma, EPP is rarely curative but appears to be a feasible salvage procedure when performed at specialized centers. Patient selection is critical with strong consideration given to multimodal therapy to optimize patient outcomes. In the absence of a confirmed response to neoadjuvant treatment, long term survival is poor and EPP should not be recommended.

Extra-Pleural Pneumonectomy (EPP) in Children and Adults with Locally Advanced Sarcoma: A CanSaRCC Study

Simple Summary

Extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP) involves the removal of the parietal and visceral pleura, ipsilateral lungs, pericardium, and hemi diaphragm. In patients with advanced sarcoma in the pleura, EPP is often the only option for local control. The aim of our study was to review our institutional experience with EPP. Of ten patients in our study, five were alive without disease at last follow-up after multi-modality therapy including EPP. Two patients had local recurrence and died of progressive disease. One patient died of brain metastasis, one patient died of radiation induced sarcoma, and one patient died of surgical complications. Our results suggest that EPP is a feasible option for patients when used in combination with chemotherapy and radiation. Moreover, high-volume cancer centers should discuss the use of EPP during tumor board discussion.

Abstract

Sarcoma can present as locally advanced disease involving pleura for which extra-pleural pneumonectomy (EPP) may be the only surgical option to ensure adequate local control. Data were collected on patients who underwent EPP between January 2009 and August 2021 at Princess Margret Hospital and SickKids (Toronto) using the CanSaRCC (Canadian Sarcoma Research and Clinical Collaboration). Ten patients with locally advanced sarcoma involving the pleura, aged 4 to 59 years (median 19.5 years) underwent EPP. Nine (90%) received pre-operative chemotherapy and eight (80%) achieved an R0 resection. Hemithoracic radiation was administered preoperatively (n = 6, 60%) or postoperatively (n = 4, 40%). Five (50%) patients were alive without disease at last follow-up (median 34.2 months) and time from EPP to last FU was median 29.2 months (range 2.2–87.5). Two patients (20%) had local recurrence, 4.3 and 5.8 months from EPP, and both died from progressive disease, 13.1 and 8.2 months from EPP, respectively. One patient died from brain metastasis (17 months), one died from radiation associated osteosarcoma (66 months), and one died from surgical complications (heart failure from constrictive pericarditis). EPP offers a feasible and life-prolonging surgical consideration for patients with locally advanced sarcoma involving the pleura in combination with chemotherapy and radiation. Consequently, EPP should be considered during multi-disciplinary tumor board discussions at high-volume centers.