Tumor biology remains the main determinant of prognosis in retroperitoneal sarcomas: a 14-year single-center experience

A preliminary study of primary retroperitoneal sarcoma at a tertiary University Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand: a retrospective observational study

Background

Retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) is rare and difficult to treat with a high recurrent rate. Very little data regarding primary RPS exists in Thailand.

Objectives

To study the outcome of treatment of primary RPS at a tertiary University Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.

Methods

All patients who had RPS undergoing the first surgical resection at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital from June 2003 to December 2019 were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Perioperative management, results of treatment, postoperative complications, and outcome were analyzed.

Results

Thirty-eight patients entered the study. Large abdominal mass was the most common presentation (90%). Liposarcoma was the most common histology (58%). Twenty patients (53%) had preoperative core needle biopsy and 21 (55%) underwent preoperative radiotherapy (RT). The tumor size ranged from 3 cm to 48 cm (median 22 cm). Five patients (13%) had total mass removal only while 33 (87%) had complete gross resection with ≥1 visceral organ resection. Surgical margins classified as R0, R1, and R2 were 61%, 34%, and 5%, respectively. Five patients (16%) had postoperative complications. There was no 30-day postoperative mortality. The local recurrence rate was 34%. Survival analysis revealed a 5-year overall survival rate of 37% and 5-year disease-free survival rate of 29%. The 5-year and 10-year recurrent rates were 71% and 95%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative radiation was the only factor reducing recurrence (19% vs. 53%, OR: 0.21, P = 0.011).

Conclusion

The preliminary study of outcome of the treatment of primary RPS at our institution showed a fair prognosis of this rare malignancy despite our aggressive surgical approaches. Preoperative radiation may help reduce recurrence in selected primary RPS patients.

Retroperitoneal Sarcomas: a Current Review on Management

Retroperitoneal sarcomas are heterogeneous tumours with variable disease biology and outcomes. The prognosis is primarily related to tumour histology and grade as well as the ability to achieve margin negative resection. Surgery involves compartment or contiguous organ resection to achieve the above goal. Careful utilization of neoadjuvant and adjuvant strategies like radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy can lead to improvement in margin status, thereby contributing to better local control and possibly reducing systemic dissemination. Use of targeted therapies has paved newer pathways of treatment integration centred on molecular and genetic targets. The aim of this review is to update the reader on all aspects of retroperitoneal sarcoma management including emphasis on pertinent and landmark trials in this regard.

Retroperitoneal Sarcomas: Prognostic Factors and Outcomes of a Series of Patients Treated at a Single Institution

Retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS) are rare heterogeneous tumors arising in the retroperitoneum with unique biological and behavioral patterns that are thought to be closely linked to histology. The aim of the study was to audit our results and analyze various clinico-pathological factors including surgical excision, histology, and their implications on the recurrences and survival outcomes in RPS. Retrospective analysis of patients treated at a tertiary referral center in India from March 2008 to July 2017 was performed. The clinico-pathological variables were analyzed for their association with tumor recurrence and survival with special emphasis on histological subtype. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). One hundred consecutive patients operated for RPS were analyzed. Of these, 27 were operated for recurrent tumors. Liposarcomas (LPS) and leiomyosarcomas (LMS) constituted 50% (n = 50) and 30% (n = 30) of patients respectively. Complete tumor excision was achieved in 83%, with 43% patients undergoing adjacent organ resection. At a median follow-up of 25.3 months, the median disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were 30 months and 87.8 months respectively. On multivariate analysis, tumor grade was the only factor to significantly affect survival (p = 0.001 for DFS and 0.005 for OS). There was no difference in survival outcomes between infiltrative and adhesive tumors with respect to adjacent organ invasion (p = 0.361 for OS). Tumor grade remains an important prognostic factor affecting disease-free and overall survival in retroperitoneal sarcomas irrespective of tumor size, site, and histology.