Preoperative Therapy for Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Radiotherapy leads to improved overall survival in patients undergoing resection for Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is a frequent subtype within the heterogeneous group of soft tissue sarcomas (STS). The use of radiotherapy (RT) has become an important component of a multimodal approach to treating STS. Key studies have demonstrated that the addition of RT improves rates of local control in STS, though the effect on overall survival (OS) is less clear. Furthermore, there is very limited and conflicting evidence regarding effect of RT on overall survival in UPS. The purposes of this investigation were to examine the association between RT and OS in UPS patients undergoing surgical resection and to determine independent prognostic indicators of OS in this patient population.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of patients who underwent surgical treatment for primary UPS from 1993 to 2021. Associations between RT and OS were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank testing. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to determine independent prognostic factors of OS.

RESULTS

One hundred and fourteen patients who underwent surgical resection of primary UPS were included in the study. Ninety-six (84.2 %) patients received RT perioperatively. Use of RT was associated with improved OS on log-rank testing (hazard ratio (HR) 0.20; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.11-0.36; p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, RT was an independent predictor of improved OS (HR 0.18; 95 % CI 0.09-0.39; p < 0.001) while metastasis at presentation (HR 4.82; 95 % CI 2.26-10.27; p < 0.001) and older age (HR 1.92; 95 % CI 1.20-3.36; p = 0.02) were predictive of decreased OS. Use of RT was not significantly associated with a lower rate of local recurrence in our cohort (p = 0.49).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of RT in combination with surgery was an independent prognostic indicator of improved overall survival in UPS patients. Older age and metastasis at presentation were associated with worse overall survival. Based on this and other available studies, treatment for UPS should involve limb-sparing resection when feasible with RT to ensure optimal survival.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Treatment Modalties for Soft Tissue Sarcomas of the Extremities

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant treatment modalities in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the extremities have become more popular in recent years, but because of the rarity and heterogeneity of STS, there are yet few studies on the long-term impact of neoadjuvant treatment modalities, especially in terms of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy.

METHODS

The study enrolled 136 patients with primary STS of the extremities who underwent surgery with curative intent or neoadjuvant therapy, followed by surgery in a 15-year period. Neoadjuvant treatment consisted of radiotherapy (RT) with 60 Gy and in most cases simultaneous chemotherapy (CTx) with ifosfamide (1.5 g/m²/d, d1-5, q28) and doxorubicine (50 mg/m²/d, d3, q28). We investigated the clinical, (post)-operative and histopathological data and the oncological follow-up as well. The median follow-up period was 82 months (range 6-202).

RESULTS

A total of 136 patients (M:F = 73:63) with a mean age of 62 years (range; 21-93) was observed. Seventy-four patients (54.4%) received neoadjuvant therapy (NT), 62 patients (45.6%) received primary surgery (PS). When receiving NT, patients with high-risk STS had a lower risk to develop distant metastasis (p = 0.025). Age, histological type, tumor size and surgical margins (R0 vs. R1) had no influence on any survival rates. There was an association between NT and the occurrence of postoperative complications (p = 0.001). The 5-year local recurrence free survival (LRFS), metastasis free survival (MFS), disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rate of the whole cohort was 89.9%, 77.0%, 70.6% and 72.6%; whereas the 5-year LRFS, MFS, DFS and OS rate was 90.5%, 67.2%, 64.1% and 62.8% for the NT group and 89.5%, 88.3%. 78.4% and 83.8% for the PS group.

CONCLUSIONS

Multimodal treatment strategies in patients with STS of extremities lead to excellent oncological outcomes. Patients with high-risk STS had a significantly better MFS when receiving NT than patients with low-risk STS. NT was associated with a higher probability of postoperative but well-manageable complications.

One-Stage Soft Tissue Reconstruction Following Sarcoma Excision: A Personalized Multidisciplinary Approach Called "Orthoplasty"

Background and Objectives. Wide surgical resection is a relevant factor for local control in sarcomas. Plastic surgery is mandatory in demanding reconstructions. We analyzed patients treated by a multidisciplinary team to evaluate indications and surgical approaches, complications and therapeutic/functional outcomes. Methods. We analyzed 161 patients (86 males (53%), mean age 56 years) from 2006 to 2017. Patients were treated for their primary tumor (120, 75.5%) or after unplanned excision/recurrence (41, 25.5%). Sites included lower limbs (36.6%), upper limbs (19.2%), head/neck (21.1%), trunk (14.9%) and pelvis (8.1%). Orthoplasty has been considered for flaps (54), skin grafts (42), wide excisions (40) and other procedures (25). Results. At a mean follow-up of 5.3 years (range 2–10.5), patients continuously showed no evidence of disease (NED) in 130 cases (80.7%), were alive with disease (AWD) in 10 cases (6.2%) and were dead with disease (DWD) in 21 cases (13.0%). Overall, 62 patients (38.5%) developed a complication (56 minor (90.3%) and 6 major (9.7%)). Flap loss occurred in 5/48 patients (10.4%). The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) and Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS) was 74.8 ± 14 and 79.1 ± 13, respectively. Conclusions. Orthoplasty is a combined approach effective in management of sarcoma patients, maximizing adequate surgical resection, limb salvaging and functional recovery. One-stage reconstructions are technically feasible and are not associated with increased risk of complications.

Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy-Related Wound Morbidity in Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Perspectives for Radioprotective Agents

Historically, patients with localized soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of the extremities would undergo limb amputation. It was subsequently determined that the addition of radiation therapy (RT) delivered prior to (neoadjuvant) or after (adjuvant) a limb-sparing surgical resection yielded equivalent survival outcomes to amputation in appropriate patients. Generally, neoadjuvant radiation offers decreased volume and dose of high-intensity radiation to normal tissue and increased chance of achieving negative surgical margins-but also increases wound healing complications when compared to adjuvant radiotherapy. This review elaborates on the current neoadjuvant/adjuvant RT approaches, wound healing complications in STS, and the potential application of novel radioprotective agents to minimize radiation-induced normal tissue toxicity.

Neoadjuvant radiation improves margin-negative resection rates in extremity sarcoma but not survival

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Radiation improves limb salvage in extremity sarcomas. Timing of radiation therapy remains under investigation. We sought to evaluate the effects of neoadjuvant radiation (NAR) on surgery and survival of patients with extremity sarcomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A multi-institutional database was used to identify patients with extremity sarcomas undergoing surgical resection from 2000-2016. Patients were categorized by treatment strategy: surgery alone, adjuvant radiation (AR), or NAR. Survival, recurrence, limb salvage, and surgical margin status was analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 1483 patients were identified. Most patients receiving radiotherapy had high-grade tumors (82% NAR vs 81% AR vs 60% surgery; P < .001). The radiotherapy groups had more limb-sparing operations (98% AR vs 94% NAR vs 87% surgery; P < .001). NAR resulted in negative margin resections (90% NAR vs 79% surgery vs 75% AR; P < .0001). There were fewer local recurrences in the radiation groups (14% NAR vs 17% AR vs 27% surgery; P = .001). There was no difference in overall or recurrence-free survival between the three groups (OS, P = .132; RFS, P = .227).

CONCLUSION

In this large study, radiotherapy improved limb salvage rates and decreased local recurrences. Receipt of NAR achieves more margin-negative resections however this did not improve local recurrence or survival rates over.

Assessing the Role of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Primary High-Risk Truncal/Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcomas: An Analysis of the Multi-institutional U.S. Sarcoma Collaborative

BACKGROUND

The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) for high-risk soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is questioned. This study aimed to define which patients may experience a survival advantage with NCT.

METHODS

All the patients from the U.S. Sarcoma Collaborative database (2000-2016) who underwent curative-intent resection of high-grade, primary truncal/extremity STS size 5 cm or larger were included in this study. The primary end points were recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Of the 4153 patients, 770 were included in the study. The median tumor size was 10 cm, and 669 of the patients (87%) had extremity tumors. The most common histology was undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), found in 42% of the patients. Of the 770 patients, 216 (28%) received NCT. The patients who received NCT had deeper, larger tumors (p < 0.001). Of the patients with tumors 5 cm or larger and 8 cm or larger, NCT was not associated with improved RFS or OS. However for the patients with tumors 10 cm or larger, NCT was associated with improved 5-year RFS (51% vs 40%; p = 0.053) and 5-year OS (58% vs 47%; p = 0.043). By location, the patients with extremity tumors 10 cm or larger but not truncal tumors had improved 5-yearr RFS (54% vs 42%; p = 0.042) and 5-year OS (61% vs 47%; p = 0.015) with NCT. According to histology, no subtype had improved RFS or OS with NCT, although the patients with UPS had a trend toward improved 5-year RFS (56% vs 42%; p = 0.092) and 5-year OS (66% vs 52%; p = 0.103) with NCT.

CONCLUSION

For the patients with high-grade STS, NCT was associated with improved RFS and OS when tumors were 10 cm or larger and located in the extremity. However, no histiotype-specific advantage was identified. Future studies assessing the efficacy of NCT may consider focusing on these patients, with added focus on histology-specific strategies.

Tumor necrosis and clinical outcomes following neoadjuvant therapy in soft tissue sarcoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The prognostic role of tumor necrosis following neoadjuvant therapy is established in bone sarcomas but remains unclear in soft tissue sarcomas (STS).

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, MEDLINE in progress, EMBASE and Cochrane to identify studies that investigated neoadjuvant therapy in STS. Studies were required to report survival data based on extent of necrosis, or provided individual patient data allowing estimation thereof. Hazard ratios (HR) for relapse-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS) and odds ratios (OR) for recurrence at 3 years and for death at 5 years were pooled in a random effect meta-analysis. Associations between patient characteristics and attainment of ≥90% necrosis were explored.

RESULTS

21 studies comprising 1663 patients were included. Extremity tumors were most common (n = 1554; 93%). Induction regimens included chemotherapy with radiotherapy (n = 924; 56%), chemotherapy alone (n = 412; 25%), radiotherapy alone (n = 78; 5%), isolated limb perfusion (ILP) (n = 231; 14%), and targeted therapy/radiotherapy (n = 18; 1%). Patients with <90% necrosis had higher hazard of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] 1.47; 95% CI: 1.06-2.04; p = 0.02) and death (HR 1.86; 95% CI: 1.41-2.46; p < 0.001). Risk of recurrence at 3 years (OR = 3.35; 95% CI: 2.27-4.92; p < 0.001) and of death at 5 years (OR 2.60; 95% CI: 1.59-4.26; p < 0.001) were similarly increased. Compared to other modalities, ILP was associated with higher odds of achieving ≥90% necrosis (OR 12.1; 95% CI: 3.69-39.88; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Tumour necrosis <90% following neoadjuvant therapy is associated with increased recurrence risk and inferior OS in patients with STS.

Preoperative evaluation of the efficacy of radio-hyperthermo-chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcoma in a case series

Purpose

Radio-hyperthermo-chemo (RHC) therapy, which combines radiotherapy, hyperthermia, and chemotherapy, for malignant soft tissue tumors has been introduced with the aim of decreasing the possibility of local recurrence after surgery. To avoid unnecessary neoadjuvant therapy and to plan the appropriate surgical treatment, surveillance of RHC therapeutic efficacy during treatment is necessary. In this study, we determined the optimal response criteria to evaluate the efficacy of RHC by comparing preoperative images before and after RHC with pathological evaluation of necrosis in the resected tumor.

Patients and methods

From 2004 to 2014, 20 patients were enrolled into this study. Needle biopsy revealed 6 cases of myxoid liposarcoma, 6 cases of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, 4 cases of myxofibrosarcoma, and 4 cases of synovial sarcoma. Based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 or modified RECIST, we calculated the responses to RHC therapy by comparing pre- and post-RHC therapy images. In addition, resected specimens underwent pathological analysis to evaluate response based on tumor necrosis. The correlation between assessment based on preoperative images and resected tumors were evaluated by the Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficient.

Result

From the surgical specimens, pathological assessment of necrosis in resected tumor were assessed as less than 50% (2 cases), 50–90% (9 cases), 90–99% (6 cases), and total necrosis (3 cases). Use of the RECIST 1.1 underestimated good responders as stable disease (SD) or progressive disease (PD) in 5 out of 15 cases; on the other hand, use of the modified RECIST did not underestimate the pathological assessment of necrosis. The correlations between responses based on preoperative images and those based on histological assessments were 0.23 (RECIST 1.1) and 0.76 (modified RECIST).

Conclusion

Because pathological responses can be underestimated using the RECIST 1.1, the modified RECIST, which take into consideration tumor viability, as assessed by contrast MRI, should also be considered when evaluating the efficacy of RHC.

Neoadjuvant and adjuvant strategies in retroperitoneal sarcoma

Extended surgery remains the mainstay of treatment in retroperitoneal sarcoma, although conflicting data exist on the benefit of neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies, particularly with regard to tumour grade and histological type. Experience of radiotherapy and chemotherapy in extremity soft tissue sarcoma can inform treatment strategies, however these data cannot be universally extrapolated to the retroperitoneum where disease biology and anatomical considerations are different. The present review sets a historical context before discussing recent evidence and on-going multi-centre trials in retroperitoneal sarcoma. Promising data on histologically- and molecularly-targeted chemotherapy are discussed and the need for centralisation of retroperitoneal sarcoma services in order to facilitate large international collaborative trials is emphasised.

Therapeutic options and postoperative wound complications after extremity soft tissue sarcoma resection and postoperative external beam radiotherapy

Soft tissue sarcomas occur most commonly in the lower and upper extremities. The standard treatment is limb salvage surgery combined with radiotherapy. Postoperative radiotherapy is associated with wound complications. This systematic review aims to summarise the available evidence and review the literature of the last 10 years regarding postoperative wound complications in patients who had limb salvage surgical excision followed by direct closure vs flap coverage together with postoperative radiotherapy and to define the optimal timeframe for adjuvant radiotherapy after soft tissue sarcomas resection and flap reconstruction. A literature search was performed using PubMed. The following keywords were searched: limb salvage, limb-sparing, flaps, radiation therapy, radiation, irradiation, adjuvant radiotherapy, postoperative radiotherapy, radiation effects, wound healing, surgical wound infection, surgical wound dehiscence, wound healing, soft tissue sarcoma and neoplasms. In total, 1045 papers were retrieved. Thirty-seven articles were finally selected after screening of abstracts and applying dates and language filters and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Plastic surgery provides a vast number of reconstructive flap procedures that are directly linked to decreasing wound complications, especially with the expectant postoperative radiotherapy. This adjuvant radiotherapy is better administered in the first 3-6 weeks after reconstruction to allow timely wound healing and avoid local recurrence.

Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy is Associated with R0 Resection and Improved Survival for Patients with Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma Undergoing Surgery: A National Cancer Database Analysis

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant radiotherapy (RT) is increasingly advocated for the management of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Therefore, this study sought to characterize the impact of neoadjuvant RT on rates of R0 resection and overall survival (OS) in extremity STS patients undergoing surgery.

METHODS

From January 2003 to December 2012, the study identified patients with a diagnosis of extremity STS from the National Cancer Database. After exclusion of patients younger than 18 years, not treated by surgery, who had metastases at diagnosis, intraoperative RT, and missing or unknown data, 27,969 patients were identified. Logistic regression and Cox-proportional hazard analysis were used to compare rates of R0 resection among preoperative, postoperative, and no-RT cohorts and to determine predictors of R0 resection and OS.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 59.5 ± 17.1 years, and 45.9% were female. The median tumor size was 10.5 cm. The data showed that 51% of the patients did not receive RT, 11.8% received preoperative RT, and 37.2% received postoperative RT. The rates of R0 resection were 90.1% for the preoperative RT cohort, 74.9% for the postoperative RT cohort, and 79.9% for the no-RT cohort (P < 0.001). The independent predictors for achievement of R0 resection included academic facility type (odds ratio [OR] 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-1.55), histologic subtype, tumor size (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.99-0.99), Charlson score (OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.84-0.99), and preoperative RT (OR 1.83; 95% CI 1.61-2.07). Both R0 resection and RT (pre- or post-operative) were associated with increased OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative RT independently predicts higher rates of R0 resection for patients with extremity STS undergoing surgical resection. Negative surgical margins and pre- or postoperative RT are associated with improved OS.

Immediate versus Delayed Sarcoma Reconstruction: Impact on Outcomes

Background. Sarcoma is a rare malignancy, and more recent management algorithms emphasize a multidisciplinary approach and limb salvage, which has resulted in an increase in overall survival and limb preservation. However, limb salvage has resulted in a higher rate of wound complications. Objective. To compare the complications between immediate and delayed (>three weeks) reconstruction in the multidisciplinary limb salvage sarcoma patient population. Methods. A ten-year retrospective review of patients who underwent sarcoma resection was performed. The outcome of interest was wound complication in the postoperative period based on timing of reconstruction. We defined infection as any infection requiring intravenous antibiotics, partial flap failure as any flap requiring a debridement or revision, hematoma/seroma as any hematoma/seroma requiring drainage, and wound dehiscence as a wound that was not completely intact by three weeks postoperatively. Results. 70 (17 delayed, 53 immediate) patients who underwent sarcoma resection and reconstruction met the inclusion criteria. Delayed reconstruction significantly increased the incidence of postoperative wound infection and wound dehiscence. There was no difference in partial or total flap loss, hematoma, or seroma between the two groups. Discussion and Conclusion. Immediate reconstruction results in decreased wound complications may reduce the morbidity associated with multidisciplinary treatment in the limb salvage sarcoma patient.