Primary and recurrent retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma: Prognostic factors affecting survival

Abstract

To analyze treatment and survival in 34 patients (28 resected) with primary or recurrent retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS). Between July 1994 and January 2001, 34 patients (15M, 19F; mean age: 56 years, range: 25-77) were evaluated. Complete resection was defined as removal of gross tumor with histologically confirmed clear resection margins. Twenty-eight out of 34 patients (82%) (15 were affected by primary RPS, and 13 by recurrent RPS), underwent surgical exploration. Twenty-three patients had a grossly and microscopically complete resection, (3 having a grossly incomplete resection and 2 patients with a grossly complete resection having histologically involved resection margins). Twenty-one out of 28 patients (75%) underwent removal of contiguous intra-abdominal organs. Preoperative mortality was nil, and morbidity occurred in six cases only (21%). High tumor grade results a significant variable for a worse survival in all 28 patients (100% 5 years survival for low grade vs. 0% for high grade; P = 0.0004). Amongst completely resected patients, only histologic grade and peroperative blood transfusions affected disease-free survival (P = 0.04 and P = 0.05, respectively). An aggressive surgical approach in both primary and recurrent RPS is associated with long-term survival.