Complete Femoral Nerve Resection with Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Functional Outcomes

Background  

The functional consequences of resecting the femoral nerve in conjunction with soft tissue sarcoma management are not well described. In comparison, sciatic nerve involvement by sarcoma was once considered an indication for amputation, but sciatic resection is now commonly performed as part of a limb-salvage approach. We compared functional outcomes following resection of either the femoral or sciatic nerve in patients with soft tissue sarcoma. We also compared both groups with patients with large thigh sarcomas without nerve involvement.     

Neoadjuvant Treatment of Locally Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Extremities to Avoid Amputation. Isolated Limb Perfusion is a Valid Option

Hellenic Journal of Surgery - The goals of treatment for soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the extremities are local tumor control, preservation of limb function and reduction of the risk of distant...     

Reconstruction of Soft Tissue Defect With a Free Vascularized Anterolateral Thigh Flap After Resection of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Extremities

ObjectiveThis study aims to determine outcomes and complications in functional reconstruction of soft tissue defects after surgical resection for soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) of extremities.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed on patients with STSs of extremities from May 2015 to April 2019 who underwent radical resection of STSs and reconstruction of soft tissue defect with free vascularized anterolateral thigh flap (FVALTP). A minimum 3‐month follow‐up was required for all the patients. Patient demographics and comorbidities, flap characteristics, postoperative complications, and time to heal were recorded. The functional outcomes of the reconstructed limbs were assessed by the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society（MSTS） scoring system.ResultsA total of 11 patients (four males and seven females) were included in the study. The mean age was 62 years (range: 29–84 years). The mean surface area was 151.4 cm² (range: from 64 cm² to 418cm²). The mean operation time was 126 min (range: 95–296 min). The mean follow‐up was 17.5 months (range: 6–34 months). The mean score of MSTS at last follow‐up was 26.2 (range: 12–29). Incision healed by first intention in eight patients. Incision healed by second intention in three patients. A patient who had received preoperative radiotherapy experienced delayed union. After debridement, the patient successfully got union. Another two patients experienced marginal necrosis of flap due to vascular crisis. After 3‐week dressing changes, the patients also got satisfactory union. One case suffered from vascular crisis during surgery in which the procedure was changed into skin grafting to cover resection site.ConclusionFVALTP technique can be effectively applied to the reconstruction of soft tissue defect after STSs resection. The short‐term follow‐up indicated satisfactory functional outcome and low incidence of previously known complications. It was necessary to further validate its efficacy in reconstruction of soft tissue defect after malignant extremity soft tissue sarcoma resection.     

Site-dependent Replacement or Internal Fixation for Postradiation Femur Fractures After Soft Tissue Sarcoma Resection

Background  

High-dose radiation retards bone healing, compromising the surgical results of radiation-induced fractures. Prosthetic replacement has traditionally been reserved as a salvage option but may best achieve the clinical goals of eliminating pain, restoring function and avoiding complications.     

Long-Term Outcome After Surgery for a Localized Retroperitoneal Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Elderly Patients: Results from a Retrospective,Single-Center Study

Background

To evaluate short- and long-term results after curative surgery for a retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) in elderly patients.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data of all patients operated in our single, tertiary care center for a nonmetastatic RPS and identified patients aged 70 years and older.

Results

Among 296 patients with an RPS treated between 1994 and 2015, 60 (20%) were aged 70 years and older (median age 74 years; range 70–85). The median tumor size was 24 cm (range 6–46). Forty-six patients (77%) had mass-related symptoms at the time of diagnosis. The most frequent histological subtypes were de-differentiated liposarcoma (53%, n?=?32) and well-differentiated liposarcoma (35%, n?=?21). Twenty-two patients (37%) had perioperative radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Fifty-eight patients (97%) had macroscopically complete resection. The postoperative mortality was 8% and severe morbidity (Dindo/Clavien ≥ 3) was 32%. A reoperation was required for ten patients (17%). After a median follow-up of 20 months (range 1–121), the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 90% (95% confidence interval [CI] 79–100%), and median OS was not reached. The cancer-specific death rate was 88%. No prognostic factor for disease-specific survival was detected. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 52% (95% CI 33–84%) and 5-year locoregional recurrence-free survival rate was 52% (95% CI 33–84%). Median DFS was 94 months (95% CI 35–NA). Reoperation after inappropriate surgery and postoperative morbidity were independent predictive factors of locoregional relapse. No predictive factors of distant metastasis were found.

Conclusions

Curative surgery is feasible in selected elderly patients but with higher mortality and morbidity rates than in younger patients. It enables a prolonged survival. Future studies should focus on selection process to minimize postoperative mortality and morbidity.

     

Hepatic Resection is Justified for Elderly Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Hepatic resection is one of the main treatment modalities for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, surgery is generally stressful and often is avoided for elderly patients. This retrospective study was designed to determine whether the indications for hepatic resection in younger patients with HCC are applicable to elderly patients. METHODS: Subjects were 294 patients in whom 319 hepatic resections were performed for HCC (male/female ratio, 238/81; age range, 18-83 years). The patients were divided into two groups according to age at the time of surgery: 70 years or older (n = 109) and 69 years or younger (n = 210). Surgical strategy and postoperative follow-up methods did not differ between groups. The incidence and severity of postoperative complications classified by the Clavien system were compared between the two groups. Postoperative survival was compared between the two groups and between subgroups based on Japan Integrated Staging (JIS) scores. HCC-related death rates also were compared. RESULTS: No significant between-group difference was found in background liver function or type of hepatic resection. Differences were found in performance status and type of hepatitis virus infection. No difference was observed in the incidence or severity of postoperative complications. Postoperative survival was similar between the two age-based study groups and between the JIS-based subgroups. HCC-related death rates did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of differences in postoperative outcomes between groups suggests that hepatic resection is justified for HCC in selected patients aged 70 years or older.     

Aggressive Surgical Approach for Treatment of Primary and Recurrent Retroperitoneal Soft Tissue Sarcoma

To analyze treatment and survival in a series of resected patients with primary or recurrent retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) treated and prospectively followed at a single institution. Between July 1994 and December 2015, 89 patients (36 M, 53 F; mean age 60 years, range 25–79) were evaluated. For the purpose of analysis, complete resection was defined as removal of gross tumor with histologically confirmed clear resection margins. Eighty-three out of the 89 patients (93%), 46 of whom affected by primary RPS, and 37 by recurrent RPS, underwent surgical exploration. Sixty-two had a grossly and microscopically complete resection. Fifty-three out of 83 patients (64%) underwent removal of contiguous intra-abdominal organs. Preoperative mortality was nil and significant preoperative complications occurred in six cases only (7%). High-grade tumor pointed out to be a significant variable for a worse survival in all 83 patients amenable to undergo surgical resection (57% 5 years survival for low grade vs 14% for high grade; P?=?0.0004). Among completely resected patients, only histologic grade clearly affected disease-free survival (72% 5 years survival for low grade vs 50% for high grade; P?=?0.04), while the role of preoperative blood transfusions (67% 5 years survival for non-transfused patients vs 29% for transfused patients; P?=?0.05) has to be evaluated in connection to patient complexity. Histological grade and recurrence are the most valuable prognostic predictors; in this clinical subset, an aggressive surgical approach in both primary and recurrent RPS is associated with a best long-term survival and disease-free survival.     

Buttock Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Clinical Features,Treatment, and Prognosis

Background: Primary buttock soft tissue sarcomas in adults are common entities that have been infrequently reported (three clinical series and isolated case reports). We present our experience of buttock sarcomas to better characterize and define the natural history of this condition.Methods: Buttock tumors occurring in adults (>16 years) between January 1990 and January 2002 were identified from the Royal Marsden Hospitals Sarcoma Unit prospective database.Results: Seventy-three buttock sarcomas were evaluated and treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital during this period. Liposarcoma (n = 19), leiomyosarcoma (n = 13), and synovial sarcoma (n = 9) were the most frequent histological types. There were 8 T1 and 61 T2 tumors, and size was not available in 4 patients. Most tumors (n = 64) were located deep to the deep fascia. There were 15 grade 1, 20 grade 2, and 37 grade 3 tumors, and grade was not available in 1 patient. There were 29 tumors contained within the gluteus maximus. Wide excision was performed in 50 patients. Local recurrence and distant metastasis occurred in 15 and 35 patients with a median time of 18 and 8 months, respectively. The rate of local recurrence at 2 years was 20.9% (SE, 6.8%). The 2-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 64.1% (SE, 6.7%) and 48.5% (SE, 6.4%), respectively.Conclusions: Buttock sarcomas present special surgical difficulties because of proximity of the sciatic nerve and the ability of tumors at this site to extend into the pelvis and perineum. Size and grade of the tumor were independent predictors for disease-free and overall survival.     

Comorbidity is Independently Associated with Poor Outcome in Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma

BackgroundComorbidity has not been examined as an independent prognostic factor in soft tissue sarcoma (STS). We examined the prognostic impact of comorbidity on oncologic outcome in STS with an adjustment for possible confounding factors.MethodsA retrospective review was performed on 349 patients who had undergone surgery for high-grade localized STS of extremity at our institute. Conditions known to alter the risk of mortality, as defined in the Charlson comorbidity index, were classified as comorbidities and 43 patients (12%) had at least one comorbidity at the time of surgery. The association of comorbidity and oncologic outcomes of local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were tested with adjustment for confounding factors.ResultsComorbidity was associated with old age, high tumor grade, and large tumor size. The presence of comorbidity was independently associated with poor LRFS and DSS, even after adjusting for confounding factors including age and treatment variables.ConclusionsOur data suggest that the presence of comorbidity is an independent prognostic factor for extremity STS.     

Radiographic and Histologic Response to Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy in Patients With Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Background  

Limited data exist regarding the radiographic and histologic response of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) to neoadjuvant radiotherapy (RT).     

Function and Health Status Outcomes Following Soft Tissue Reconstruction for Limb Preservation in Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Background  

While advances in reconstructive surgery have facilitated limb preservation in extremity soft tissue sarcoma (ESTS), limited information exists as to the functional outcome of patients with these reconstructed extremities. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of flap reconstruction on postoperative function and health status in patients undergoing limb-salvage surgery for ESTS.