Paget sarcoma of the spine: Scottish Bone Tumor Registry experience

Primary mobile vertebral column sarcomas: Prognostic factors vary by histologic subtypes

BACKGROUND

Primary sarcomas originating from the mobile spine portends a particularly sinister outcome. Rarity of the disease process has resulted in inconsistent data due to small sample size and heterogeneity in patient selection and analytics.

METHODS

Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result (SEER) database from 1975 to 2017 was queried to report incidence and survival data in 712 patients in the United States. Kaplan-Meier and Cox Regression were used to determine the prognostic factors affecting survival.

RESULTS

Incidence of spinal sarcoma was 0.019 per 100,000 persons in 2017 and has not significantly changed since 2000 (p > 0.05). Disease-specific 5-year survival for the entire cohort was 57%. Osteosarcoma has the worst 5-year survival (39%) and chondrosarcoma has the best 5-year survival (69%). Independent predictors of survival for the entire cohort included age, grade, and stage. Stage was an independent predictor of survival for every histologic subtype. Additional predictors of survival for spinal osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma included age, size, and grade, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study is an analysis of a population-based registry reporting incidence survival data for patients with sarcoma of mobile vertebral column. Survival and prognostic factors vary by histologic subtypes. There is lack of improvement in survival over the last three decades.

An overview of the tumors affecting the spine-inside to out

Spine tumors may arise within or surrounding the spinal cord and/or vertebral column. Spinal tumors can be benign or malignant. Based on their epicenter, they may be classified as intradural-intramedullary, intradural-extramedullary, or extradural. Of these, extradural lesions are the most common, and are typically metastatic. Primary bone tumors of the spinal column comprise 5% of all primary skeletal tumors. The majority of primary spinal column tumors are benign, with malignant tumors comprising only 20%. Overall, spine metastases are the most common malignant spine tumor, and these usually arise from primaries such as lung, breast, and prostate cancers. The advent of improved systemic therapies leading to improved survival and the frequent use of imaging has positioned metastatic spine disease as the new epidemic in oncology. For spine tumors, establishing the correct diagnosis is heavily reliant on magnetic resonance imaging and histological confirmation. In this review, we will provide an overview of the epidemiology, radiological and histopathological features, and the natural history of key primary (benign and malignant) spinal cord and column tumors and metastatic spine tumors. Treatment principles for primary spinal cord or column tumors are aimed toward curative resection, whereas palliative resection forms the treatment principle for most metastatic tumors.

Spinal sarcomas and immunity: An undervalued relationship

Sarcomas, especially spine sarcomas, are rare yet debilitating and are underestimated types of cancer. Treatment options for spine sarcomas are limited to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical intervention. Accumulating evidence suggests a complex course associated with the treatment of spine sarcomas as compared to other soft tissue sarcomas in the extremities since adjuvant therapy adds limited success to the oncological outcome. Likewise, the limitations of surgical interventions imposed by the proximity and high sensitivity of the spinal cord, leads to an increased recurrence and mortality rates associated with spine sarcomas. Finding novel treatment options to spine sarcomas as such is inevitable, necessitating a more thorough understanding of the different mechanisms of the underlying etiologies of these tumors. In this review, we discuss the most recent studies tackling the involvement of the immune system; a key player in the emergence of the different types of spine sarcomas and the promising immune-mediated targeted therapy that can be applied in these kind of rare cancers.

Lumbar spinal canal osteosarcoma: A case report

RATIONALE

Osteosarcoma is a rare neoplasm in the lumbar spine. Although osteosarcoma can arise in any portion of the skeleton, it very rarely arises in the spinal canal, which accounts for <0.1% of all cases of adult sarcomas. Here, we describe a case of osteosarcoma arising in the L4-5 spinal canal.

PATIENT CONCERNS

The present report describes the case of a 55-year-old female patient with osteosarcoma of the L4-5 spinal canal.

DIAGNOSES

The patient was initially diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis and underwent lumbar fusion at a local hospital. At the 4-month follow-up, the patient reported a marked increase in numbness and pain in the lumbar region and lower limbs. Based on magnetic resonance imaging, we diagnosed a postoperative infectious lesion of the lumbar spine.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent surgery for complete removal of the mass lesion. The mass measured 3 × 2.5 × 0.7 cm in size and was located in the L4-5 spinal canal.

OUTCOMES

Based on histological and immunohistochemical findings, the diagnosis of osteosarcoma was confirmed by an expert pathology consultant. The patient then received chemotherapy. Postoperative follow-up at 6 months revealed no evidence of recurrent disease or residual side effects from therapy.

LESSONS

Osteosarcoma in the L4-5 spinal canal is extremely rare and very difficult to distinguish histologically from benign nervous and fibrous tissue. This is a very valuable case, which highlights the need for orthopedic surgeons to consider this when diagnosing patients with spinal tumors.

Diagnosis and management of Paget's disease of bone

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a literature review on the diagnosis and management of Paget's disease of bone.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This scientific statement was generated by a request from the Brazilian Medical Association (AMB) to the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism (SBEM) as part of its Clinical Practice Guidelines program. Articles were identified by searching in PubMed and Cochrane databases as well as abstracts presented at the Endocrine Society, Brazilian Society for Endocrinology Annual Meetings and the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Annual Meeting during the last 5 years. Grading quality of evidence and strength of recommendation were adapted from the first report of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine. All grades of recommendation, including "D", are based on scientific evidence. The differences between A, B, C and D, are due exclusively to the methods employed in generating evidence.

CONCLUSION

We present a scientific statement on Paget's disease of bone providing the level of evidence and the degree of recommendation regarding causes, clinical presentation as well as surgical and medical treatment.

En bloc spondylectomy for primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the thoracic spine with aortic involvement: case report

In this article, the authors describe a 48-year-old man who initially presented with progressively worsening back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a soft-tissue mass involving the T10-11 vertebral bodies with extension anteriorly into the aorta as well as epidural extension without spinal cord compression. A biopsy of the mass showed findings consistent with a malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). A total en bloc spondylectomy with resection and reconstruction of the involved aorta using a vascular graft was performed. The patient received postoperative radiation therapy and is neurologically intact at 18 months postoperatively. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a spinal MFH resection with aortic reconstruction.

Malignant degeneration of multilevel monostotic Paget's disease involving the thoracic spine: an unusual presentation

Paget's disease is the second most common metabolic bone disease after osteoporosis and is characterized by abnormal bone turnover and remodeling that can lead to pain, pathological fracture, bony deformity and nerve compression syndromes. The lumbar region is the most commonly affected site within the spine followed by the thoracic and cervical spine. Even though the spine is affected very commonly in Paget's disease, malignant degeneration is exceptionally rare. Multilevel monostotic spine involvement due to Paget's disease is very uncommon. An unusual clinico-radiological manifestation of multilevel thoracic Paget's disease with sarcomatous degeneration presenting as a neurosurgical emergency is reported with a pertinent review of the literature.

Paget's disease of bone

Paget's disease is an osteoclastic-mediated disorder of bone that results in abnormal bone resorption associated with inadequate remodeling that leads to mechanically weakened bone. Demonstrating variable geographic prevalence, it is becoming less frequent and age of onset is lengthening in areas of once high prevalence prior to the institution of effective medical therapies, suggesting its etiology involves both environmental as well as genetic factors. Insights into its pathophysiology are helping to clarify other inherited osteolytic disorders of bone by providing additional insights into related cellular processes.

Spinal osteosarcoma

Although osteosarcoma represents the second most common primary bone tumor, spinal involvement is rare, accounting for 3%–5% of all osteosarcomas. The most frequent symptom of osteosarcoma is pain, which appears in almost all patients, whereas more than 70% exhibit neurologic deficit. At a molecular level, it is a tumor of great genetic complexity and several genetic disorders have been associated with its appearance. Early diagnosis and careful surgical staging are the most important factors in accomplishing sufficient management. Even though overall prognosis remains poor, en-block tumor removal combined with adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy is currently the treatment of choice. This paper outlines histopathological classification, epidemiology, diagnostic procedures, and current concepts of management of spinal osteosarcoma.

Pediatric spinal tumors

Although tumors of the central nervous system in children constitute the second most prevalent tumor type of childhood, spinal cord tumors account for less than 10% of pediatric central nervous system tumors. The most common are intramedullary, although they can be found in the extradural compartment or as intradural extramedullary masses. Extradural tumors can arise from bony elements, the meninges, or soft tissues. Neuroblastomas and sarcomas are frequently encountered along with bone tumors. Intradural extramedullary tumors can be meningeal or from distant sites and include meningiomas and schwannomas; most tend to be benign. Intradural intramedullary tumors, neuronal or glial, can be derived from neuroepithelial tissues. For the intramedullary tumors, astrocytomas represent around 60% of tumors, ependymomas 30%, and developmental tumors 4%. Such tumors require a multidisciplinary approach to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Spinal cord tumors most often present with pain followed by motor regression, gait disturbance, sphincter dysfunction or sensory loss, torticollis, and kyphoscoliosis. Treatment is based on tumor type, but surgical resection is the mainstay. Predictors of outcome include the histological grading, extent of resection, and neurological status at the time of surgery.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the spine: a series of 13 clinical case reports and review of 17 published cases

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case study of 13 primary malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFH) of the spine.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinic, radiologic, histologic, and prognostic features of 13 cases with the MFH of the spine.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

MFH, a soft tissue sarcoma, rarely occurs at the spine. Only sporadical cases have been reported in the English literature concerning the clinical and prognostic features of the primary MFH at the spine.

METHODS

Between January 1999 and December 2006, 13 cases with primary MFH of the spine were treated in the authors' spine center. Clinical history, radiographic, surgery resection, and pathologic features were recorded. The patients were followed up regarding their local recurrence and survivals. The 17 cases with primary MFH at the spine in the literature were reviewed.

RESULTS

Paraspinal or epidural mass at multiple spinal levels developed in 11 cases, with osteolytic destruction in all 13 cases. The tumor size averaged on 10.4 cm in greatest dimension. Metastases occurred in 10 of 13 cases. Compared with the 14 ± 0.60-months median survival of the debulking surgeries in seven cases, the median survival of the en bloc resection in six cases was 25 ± 6.12 months (P ∇ 0.009). The median survival was 8.7 months in 10 cases of the literature group, with 30% 1-year survival and 6.7% 2-year survival, respectively; while the median survival was 18.0 months in the authors' series, with 92.3% 1-year survival and 38.5% 2-year survival, respectively. The 5-year survival was between 25% and 69% in the extremities of MFH, but it was 28% in the head and neck and 26.7% in the abdominal cavity, compared with 7.7% in the spine in the authors' series.

CONCLUSION

The MFH of the spine tends to extensively invade paraspinal structures at multiple spinal levels, with aggressive osteolytic destruction in the vertebrae, resulting to local huge mass, radiculopathy, and myelopathy. Regardless of recent advancements in the diagnosis, treatment methods, and adjuvant therapies, for its biologically aggressive nature, it frequently recurs at the primary site and metastasizes. It has a worse prognosis than that of MFH in other sites.

Imaging findings, prevalence and outcome of de novo and secondary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of bone

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the radiographic and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of primary and secondary malignant fibrous histiocytoma in bone and determine the demographics, prevalence and outcome of patients with this tumor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective search of files from two institutions identified 28 patients with malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of bone. Microscope slides were reviewed to confirm diagnosis and identify any pre-existing lesions. Medical records were reviewed with respect to patients' demographic characteristics and outcomes.

RESULTS

Radiographic features demonstrated an aggressive osteolytic lesion with a permeative pattern of bone destruction. Periosteal reaction was seen in three of 13 lesions. T1-weighted images (T1WIs) demonstrated signal intensity iso- to slightly hyperintense to muscle. T2-weighted images (T2WIs) demonstrated mildly higher signal intensity than that of muscle. The 5-year survival rate was 53%. The tumor arose secondarily in pre-existing lesions in 43% of patients. Metastases occurred in 46% of patients during the course of the disease, with pulmonary and osseous metastases being the most common.

CONCLUSION

Secondary MFH of bone was slightly less common than primary MFH and had a prognosis similar to that of primary MFH of bone. MR imaging showed variable and somewhat unusual low to intermediate T2 signal characteristics for a radiographically malignant osteolytic lesion.

Osteosarcoma of the spine: experience in 26 patients treated at the Massachusetts General Hospital

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Because of the low incidence, treatment recommendations for spinal osteosarcoma are guided by the results of small series and case reports. Many include patients who presented for treatment over the course of three to four decades.

PURPOSE

The goal of this investigation was to report the treatments, results, and overall survivorship of 26 patients treated for osteosarcoma of the spine at a single institution.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective prognostic series (Level III evidence).

PATIENT SAMPLE

Twenty-six patients treated at a single center for osteosarcoma of the spine over a 26-year period.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Estimation of patient survival, local recurrence, and the presence of metastatic disease.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of cases of osteosarcoma involving the spine treated at our institution between 1982 and 2008. Medical charts, radiology reports, pathology reports, and operative notes were reviewed for all patients. Available imaging studies were also reviewed. The log-rank test was used to compare baseline differences between groups. Survivorship analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier methodology. The effect of Paget osteosarcoma, type of resection, presence of local recurrence, tumor size, surgical margins, and metastases on overall survival were also investigated using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients were included for review in this study. Twenty individuals were treated surgically, and 24 were treated with radiation with a mean dose of 62.2 Gy (range 20-84.7 Gy). Twenty-five patients received chemotherapy. Of those treated surgically, seven received en bloc resection. The median overall survival for all patients in our series was 29.5 months (standard error 14.7, 95% confidence interval 0.6-58). Local recurrence developed in 7 patients (27%), and metastasis occurred in 16 individuals (62%). Patients with Paget osteosarcoma had worse overall survival (p<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Results presented here confirm a poor prognosis for patients with spinal osteosarcoma. Although combination therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, and high-dose radiation, achieve adequate short-term survival, the 5-year mortality rate remains high.

[Diagnosis and treatment of Paget disease of the spinal vertebrae]

Paget disease, localized only on thoracic spine is extremly rare. It is a huge diagnostic problem and an equally big therapy challenge. Course of this disease is slow, it chronically worsens, thus demanding differentiation of various conditions, along with orthopaedic, neurological, radiographic and endocrine evaluation. Paget disease is followed by back pain, progressive weakening of legs and sphincter functions, due to pathological spine fractures and spinal stenosis. The treatment is surgical, in form of decompression and applying biphosphonates. Three patients are presented, all with worsening back pain which lasted several months. Hyperthonia and hyperreflexion of lower extremities were developed significantly. Over the course of time, neurological deficite got worse, almost to the point of spastic parapalegia. All of the patients were male, 50 to 68 years old. They had higher values of alcaline phosphatase and serum calcium than usual. In all cases, bone scintigraphy was positive where the lesion of thoracic spine existed. Biopsy suggested hyperparathyroidism, but, as it turned out, wrongly. After surgical treatment, neurological improvement was noticed on all three patients. In case of two, recidives occurred after three and five years respectively, so surgical reinterventions were made. These recidives are consequences of Paget disease progression. Aside from surgical treatment, they were treated by encrinologist. Remission of the disease lasted for seven and twelve years, respectively. Third patient had his condition recognized almost two years after first reception, and, due to big changes on vertebral body and paraplegia, posterior and anterior decompression of spinal canal and stabilization were done simultaneously. Biopsy confirmed Paget disease. During the postoperative course, nearly complete neurological improvement occured almost instantly. Only moments after hospital release, twenty four days after the operation, patient got sick in the hall. Unfortunately, he passed away due to massive lung embolism, even though he recieved adequate thromboembolic prophylaxion. Monoostotic form of Paget disease localized on vertebral body must be taken and considered seriously, especially when the patients suffer from progressive evolution of neurological deficite, followed by adequate biochemical blood and urine analysis, as well as radiographic signs of pathological fracture or invasive vertebral process. Surgical treatment can lead to significant improvement of clinical findings, but due to recidive, biphosphonate treatment is recommended.

Paget's disease of bone: histologic analysis of 754 patients

Although Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is the second most common metabolic bone disease, to our knowledge, there is only one quantitative analysis on the histological and especially on the histomorphometric level. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze, on the basis of the Hamburg Bone Register, PBD in terms of incidence, skeletal distribution, malignant transformation, and histological and histomorphometric characteristics. Bone biopsies and patient files of 754 cases with histologically proven PDB were reviewed in a retrospective study. Quantitative static histomorphometry was performed on a representative subgroup of 247 biopsies derived from patients with manifestation of PDB at the iliac crest and compared with an age- and sex-matched control group. The peak incidence of PDB was between 70 and 80 yr of age. The majority of monostotic skeletal manifestation was localized at the os ilium, followed by the spine and femur. Histomorphometric results showed a high bone turnover with a significant increase in bone resorption and bone formation indices leading to an increased bone volume. Paget sarcoma was diagnosed in 6 of 754 patients, indicating a malignant transformation in 0.8% of the affected patients. Taken together, our study characterizes PDB in Germany on the basis of one of the largest cohorts of patients with histologically proven PDB. Moreover, for the first time, a quantitative histomorphometric approach was taken for >200 cases, where we could show local high bone mass lesions as a result of an increase of both osteoclast and osteoblast indices.

Bone sarcoma of the spine

Primary malignant bone tumors of the vertebral column, i.e., bone sarcomas of the spine, are inherently rare entities. Vertebral osteosarcomas and chordomas represent the largest groups, followed by the incidence of chondro-, fibro-, and Ewing's sarcomas. Detailed clinical and neurological examination, complete radiographic imaging [radiographs, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)], and biopsy are the decisive diagnostic steps. Oncosurgical staging for spinal tumors can serve as a decision-guidance system for an individual's oncological and surgical treatment. Subsequent treatment decisions are part of an integrated, multimodal oncological concept. Surgical options comprise minimally invasive surgery, palliative stabilization procedures, and curative, wide excisions with complex reconstructions to attain wide or at least marginal resections. The most aggressive mode of surgical resection for primary vertebral column tumors is the total en bloc vertebrectomy, i.e., single- or multilevel en bloc spondylectomy. En bloc spondylectomy involves a posterior or combined anterior/posterior approach, followed by en bloc laminectomy, circumferential (360 degrees) vertebral dissection, and blunt ventral release of the large vessels, intervertebral discectomy and rotation/ en bloc removal of the vertebra along its longitudinal axis. Due to the complex interdisciplinary approach and the challenging surgical resection techniques involved, management of vertebral bone sarcomas is recommended to be performed in specific musculoskeletal tumor centers.

Spinal localization of Paget disease: Case report

INTRODUCTION Paget disease, localized on thoracal vertebrae, presents a significant challenge in diagnostics and treatment. Presenting with progressive neurological symptoms, it has a broad differential diagnostic spectrum and requires additional radiological, neurological and endocrinological evaluation. Besides drug therapy, an operative decompression of nerve elements is performed when indicated. CASE OUTLINE We present a case of an older male patient complaining of chronic progressive pain localized at fourth and fifth thoracal vertebrae, with slight but progressive hypertonus and hyperreflection of leg muscles, including no plantar response. Vertebral biopsy indicated parathyreoid disturbance, excluded by further endocrinological analyses. At that point a corporectomy of fourth and fifth vertebrae and titanium cage spondylodesis of adjacent levels was performed, with pathological findings suggesting Paget disease. Postoperatively, there was initial significant neurological improvement; unfortunately, 2.5 years after the operation a relapse of the disease developed with gibbus deformity. Further treatment was surgical in two stages (first by decompression, and later by broad laminectomy), resulting in partial neurological recovery. CONCLUSION Spinal localization of Paget disease as a monoostotic form must be considered in all cases of progressive neurological impairment accompanied by biochemical disturbances in blood and urine, and with radiologically evident deformity, pathological fracture or neoplastic destruction of vertebra. A combination of medicamentous and surgical treatment should significantly improve neurological condition.