Trunk Soft Tissue Research Articles

27 Long-Term Outcomes of Extremity and Trunk Soft Tissue Sarcoma Using Preoperative Radiation and Conservative Surgery

27 Long-Term Outcomes of Extremity and Trunk Soft Tissue Sarcoma Using Preoperative Radiation and Conservative Surgery

1730P Preliminary results of phase II study on preoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy with concurrent PARP inhibitor for patients with non-metastatic inoperable or borderline operable extremity and trunk soft tissue sarcoma

1730P Preliminary results of phase II study on preoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy with concurrent PARP inhibitor for patients with non-metastatic inoperable or borderline operable extremity and trunk soft tissue sarcoma

The role of free flap reconstruction after resection of extremity and trunk soft tissue sarcomas. Results of two referral centers in Argentina

IntroductionFor patients affected by extremity or trunk soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) large resections might be needed to achieve negative margins. This is a common scenario especially in locally advanced or recurrent tumors often within a pre-irradiated field. The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of free-flap reconstructions (FFR) after sarcoma surgery. ObjectiveThe endpoints were surgical results, quality of surgical margins and oncological outcome. MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients with extremity and trunk STS with free-flap reconstruction between 2008 and 2022. Demographic and tumor data, perioperative treatment, margin status, morbidity and evolution were evaluated. ResultsOf 467 patients, 25 (5.35%) required 26 free-flap reconstructions. Surgery was performed on an irradiated field in 8 (32%) patients. Reconstructions were mostly needed for distal lower extremity resections and the most common type of flap used was antero-lateral tight (ALT) flap. No R2 resections were performed. R0 and R1 resections were achieved in 22 (84.6%) and 4 (15.4%), respectively. All R1 resections were preplanned positive along a preserved critical structure. Surgical morbidity rate was 26% (7/26) and the re-operation rate was 15% (4/26) with 7.7% flap losses (2/26). At a median follow-up of 38 months, 7 (28%) patients presented local recurrences. ConclusionIn a referral sarcoma center, having a multidisciplinary surgical team capable of complex resections and reconstructions is of utmost importance for a correct and integral surgical planning. This allows optimal oncologic resections with acceptable morbidity.

Unplanned excision of extremity and superficial trunk soft tissue sarcomas

Unplanned excision of extremity and superficial trunk soft tissue sarcomas

ASO Visual Abstract: Practice Pattern Variability in the Management of Regional Lymph Node Metastasis in Extremity and Trunk Soft Tissue Sarcoma (ETSTS): A Survey of the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) Membership.

ASO Visual Abstract: Practice Pattern Variability in the Management of Regional Lymph Node Metastasis in Extremity and Trunk Soft Tissue Sarcoma (ETSTS): A Survey of the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) Membership.

Practice Pattern Variability in the Management of Regional Lymph Node Metastasis in Extremity and Trunk Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Survey of the Society of Surgical Oncology and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Membership.

Regional lymph node metastasis in extremity and trunk soft tissue sarcoma (ETSTS) is rare with no standardized management. We sought to determine management patterns for regional lymph node metastasis in ETSTS. A survey regarding the management of ETSTS lymph node metastasis was distributed to the membership of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) and the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) in January 2022. The survey queried the type of training (surgical oncology, orthopedic oncology), details of their practice setting, and management decisions of hypothetical ETSTS scenarios that involved potential or confirmed lymph node metastasis. The survey was distributed to 349 MSTS members (open rate of 63%, completion rate 21%) and 3026 SSO members (open rate of 55%, completion rate 4.7%) and was completed by 214 respondents, of whom 73 (34.1%) and 141 (65.9%) were orthopedic oncology and surgical oncology fellowship-trained, respectively. The majority of respondents practiced in an academic setting (n=171, 79.9%) and treat >10 extremity sarcoma cases annually (n=138, 62.2%). In scenarios with confirmed nodal disease for clear cell and epithelioid sarcoma, surgical oncologists were inclined to perform lymphadenectomy, while orthopedic oncologists were inclined to offer targeted lymph node excision with adjuvant radiation (p<0.001). There was heterogeneity of responses regarding the management of nodal disease regardless of training background. Self-reported management of nodal disease in ETSTS was variable among respondent groups with differences and similarities based on training background. These data highlight the variability of practice for nodal disease management and the need for consensus-based guidelines.

Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on sarcoma management in France: a 2019 and 2020 comparison.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was an unprecedented shock to the healthcare systems, and its consequences on managing rare cancers are unknown. We investigated COVID-19's impact on the activity of sarcoma-labeled networks by comparing key indicators in 2019-2020 (before and during the pandemic, respectively). We compared the incidence of limb and trunk soft tissue sarcomas, surgery rate, surgery center, surgery quality, and surgery delays nationally and in various regions, focusing on the three most severely affected regions. In this study, sarcoma incidence did not decrease, and the tumor and patient characteristics were similar in both years. The number of patients who underwent surgery in the labeled centers increased significantly (63% versus 57%, p = 0.015), the rate of R0 resection increased (55% versus 47%, p = 0.004), and the rate of re-excision decreased (12% versus 21%, p < 0.0001). In the univariate analysis, the time to surgery was similar in both years. Cox regression analysis revealed that the factors associated with a longer time to surgery were age > 70 years (p = 0.003), retroperitoneal location (p > 0.001), tumor size (p < 0.001), deep tumors (p < 0.001), and regions (p < 0.001). However, we have observed an increase in the time before surgery in the regions most stroked by the COVID-19 pandemic. The model of the labeled center network for managing rare tumors was resilient. Paradoxically, the quality indicators improved during the pandemic due to the direct referral of patients with sarcomas to the labeled centers. This study shows that a nationwide network organization has made it possible to maintain care for these rare tumors during the pandemic.

Clinical reliability of pedicled perforator flaps in the management of adult limb and trunk soft tissue sarcomas: Experience of two French expert centres.

Limb-sparing surgery combined with radiation has become the standard treatment for soft tissue sarcomas. Despite the many advantages of reconstruction procedures, such as muscle-sparing flap and local reconstruction, the use of pedicled perforator flaps remains non-consensual due to doubts about their reliability when associated with radiotherapy. This study evaluated their surgical reliability in reconstructive surgery for limb and trunk soft tissue sarcomas, in terms of healing time, wound disorders, and postoperative complications, regardless of radiation timing. We realized a retrospective, observational, bi-center study (Cancer University Institute of Toulouse Oncopole, France and Bergonié Institute Bordeaux, France) and describes pedicled perforator flaps performed between January 2015 and January 2021. A total of 74 flaps were included. The median age of the population was 70-year-old. The group consisted of 68.8% (n=51/74) propeller flaps. We found a partial necrosis rate of 28.4% (n=21/74), scar disunion of 48.6% (n=36/74), local infection of 10.8% (n=8/74), and venous congestion of 13.5% (n=10/74). Only 16.2% (n=12/74) required secondary surgical repair to a local complication. The average length of stay was 7.3 days [1.0-25.0]. The mean operating time of our flaps was 133.4min [38.0-280.0]. Pedicled perforator flaps are a surgical technique that can be used in reconstructive surgery for limb and trunk soft tissue sarcomas in adults, regardless of radiation timing. However, these flaps carry a high rate of postoperative complications so they should be reserved for expert surgeons in referral centers.

Preliminary Results of Phase II Study on Preoperative Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy with Concurrent Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor for Patients with Non-Metastatic Extremity and Trunk Soft Tissue Sarcoma

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> Preoperative radiotherapy (RT) is one of the recommended treatments for primary extremity and trunk soft tissue sarcoma, however, the pathological remission is relatively low, and survival is not improved. We hypothesized that the addition of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) will improve the pathological remission rate without significant increase of major wound complications (MWCs). <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> Two phase II study were initiated in our center. Primary or recurrent non-metastatic extremity or trunk soft tissue sarcoma was enrolled. Patients received preoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) of 50Gy in 25 fractions with concurrent and sequential Anlotinib (12 mg QD for 2 weeks, 3 cycles in total) or Apatinib (500 mg QD, 5 days per week, for 9 weeks in total), followed by wide resection. NCI-CTC 5.0, RECIST 1.1 criteria, and EORTC-STBSG criteria was used to evaluate acute toxicities, clinical response and pathological grading. The primary endpoint was defined as MWCs as per the SR2 criteria within 4 months post-surgery. <h3>Results</h3> From Jul 2020 to Dec 2021, 31 patients were enrolled and completed RT. The median onset age is 55 (22-82) years old. There are 26 and 5 patients with primary untreated and locally relapsed disease, respectively. The median tumor size is 10.5 (3.7-19.5) cm, with 23 patients (74.2%) larger than 8cm. Twenty-seven tumors (87.1%) were evaluated as unresectable or borderline resectable, which was defined as impossible or difficult to conserve limb with non-R2 wide resection. There were 21, 9 and 1 patients having Anlotinib, Apatinib and none, respectively. All except 5 took TKI as per protocol, with 4 patients having dose reduction due to Grade 3 toxicities. The observed ≥Grade 3 toxicities are: hypertension in 4 patients (19.1%) in Anlotinib group and 2 patients (22.2%) in Apatinib group, and one Grade 4 hepatotoxicity in Apatinib group (11.1%). There are 14 (14/30, 46.7%) and 16 patients (16/30, 53.3%) who achieved partial response (PR) and SD as per RECIST 1.1 criteria at 1-month post-radiotherapy, respectively. All the patients who had PR had obvious tumor shrink at the first 1 to 2 weeks during radiotherapy. Six out of 24 patients (25%) who underwent wide resection with at least 6 weeks follow-up had MWCs, with all in lower extremity. There were 4 (4/26, 15.4%), 3 (3/26, 11.5%) and 3 (3/26, 11.5%) patients achieving pathological Grade A, B, and C remission as per EORTC-STBSG criteria, respectively. All the 22 patients with unresectable or borderline resectable tumor had non-R2 limb-conserving wide resection, with 18 R0 and only 4 R1 resection. <h3>Conclusion</h3> For patients with non-metastatic extremity or trunk primary sarcoma, the combination of TKI and pre-operative RT is safe and well-tolerated, and achieve favorable clinical and pathological response. The earlier response with addition of TKI made more patients with unresectable or borderline resectable tumor completely resected by limb-conserving wide resection. NCT05167994, NCT05235100

Response to Letter to the Editor regarding Free Flap Reconstruction of Posterior Trunk Soft Tissue Defects: Single Institution Experience and Systematic Literature Review

Response to Letter to the Editor regarding Free Flap Reconstruction of Posterior Trunk Soft Tissue Defects: Single Institution Experience and Systematic Literature Review

Refining the Approach to Patients with Primary Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Extremities and Trunk Wall: Outcome Improvement Over Time at a Single Institution.

The improved outcome of extremity soft tissue sarcoma patients surgically treated until 2007 at the authors' institution was previously reported. This study updates the analysis at a later follow-up and extends the patients'cohort to assess changes in outcomes over time for extremity and superficial trunk soft tissue sarcoma (ESTSTS) treated at a single referral center. All consecutive patients with primary localized adult-type ESTSTSsurgically treated at the authors' institution between 1987 and 2017 wereincluded and divided into group 1 (1987-2002) and group 2 (2003-2017) according to primary surgery year. Crude cumulative incidence (CCI) of sarcoma-specific mortality (SSM), local recurrence (LR), and distant metastases (DM)were calculated in a competing-risks framework. DM-free survival (DMFS) and post-DM survivalwere also assessed. The study identified 2382 patients. The median follow-up was 104 months (range, 63-127 months), and the post-DM follow-up was 76 months (range, 37-126 months). Since 2003, an increased adoption of preoperative treatments was observed: the use ofchemotherapy, radiotherapy and combined chemoradiotherapy went from 10.5% to 23.7%, from 1.7% to 17.8%, and from 1% to 11.8%respectively. This change in treatment strategies was associated to an improvementin CCI-SSM (27.8% vs 19.5%; P < 0.001), CCI-LR (14.1 vs 7.5%; P < 0.001), DMFS (57.9% vs 65.8%; P = 0.004), and post-DM (12.2% vs 20.1%; P = 0.012), but not in CCI-DM. Increased adoption of preoperative treatments and greater availability of medical agents in the recent years were associated to better outcomes. New treatments are eagerly awaited for further improvement of outcome for ESTSTS patients because no major changes have been observed since 2003.

Preoperative Radiation for Soft Tissue Sarcomas: How Much Is Needed?

Preoperative radiation therapy is an important component of curative treatment for extremity and superficial trunk soft tissue sarcomas. It has traditionally been delivered to a dose of 50 Gy in 2 Gy fractions over 5 weeks. With significant advances in the multidisciplinary approach to soft tissue sarcomas, preoperative radiation therapy may be omitted for certain cases, delivered over a shortened period of time (1-3 weeks), deintensified for myxoid liposarcomas, or combined with systemic therapy to improve the therapeutic ratio. This article reviews the innovative preoperative radiation therapy strategies currently used to treat extremity and superficial trunk soft tissue sarcomas.

Evaluating Thresholds to Adopt Hypofractionated Preoperative Radiotherapy as Standard of Care in Sarcoma.

Introduction Data supporting hypofractionated preoperative radiation therapy (RT) for patients with extremity and trunk soft tissue sarcoma (STS) are currently limited to phase II single-institution studies. We sought to understand the type and thresholds of clinical evidence required for experts to adopt hypofractionated RT as a standard-of-care option for patients with STS. Methods An electronic survey was distributed to multidisciplinary sarcoma experts. The survey queried whether data from a theoretical, multi-institutional, phase II study of 5-fraction preoperative RT could change practice. Using endpoints from RTOG 0630 as a reference, the survey also queried thresholds for acceptable local control, wound complication, and late toxicity for the study protocol to be accepted as a standard-of-care option. Responses were logged from 8/27/2020 to 9/8/2020 and summarized graphically. Results The survey response rate was 55.3% (47/85). Local control is the most important clinical outcome for sarcoma specialists when evaluating whether an RT regimen should be considered standard of care. 17% (8/47) of providers require randomized phase III evidence to consider hypofractionated preoperative RT as a standard-of-care option, whereas 10.6% (5/47) of providers already view this as a standard-of-care option. Of providers willing to change practice based on phase II data, most (78%, 29/37) would accept local control rates equivalent to or less than those in RTOG 0630, as long as the rate was higher than 85%. However, 51.3% (19/37) would require wound complication rates superior to those reported in RTOG 0630, and 46% (17/37) of respondents would accept late toxicity rates inferior to RTOG 0630. Conclusion Consensus building is needed among clinicians regarding the type and threshold of evidence needed to evaluate hypofractionated RT as a standard-of-care option. A collaborative consortium-based approach may be the most pragmatic means for developing consensus protocols and pooling data to gradually introduce hypofractionated preoperative RT into routine practice.

Safe-margin surgery by plastic reconstruction in extremities or parietal trunk soft tissue sarcoma: A tertiary single centre experience

IntroductionTertiary centers recruit a large proportion of locally advanced or recurrent soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) that may have been preoperatively irradiated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the results of oncoplastic surgery (OPS) for patients affected by extremities or parietal trunk STS. Materials and methodsThis retrospective study includes patients who underwent a flap reconstruction after sarcoma resection between January 2018 and December 2020 at Institut Curie. The primary endpoint was the evaluation of the impact of OPS on the quality of surgical margins. The secondary endpoint was to quantify the morbidity of OPS and identify predictive factors for wound complications. ResultsOf 211 patients, 89 (42.2%) had a flap reconstruction. Surgery was realized on an irradiated field in 56 (62.9%) patients. Without OPS, all patients were candidates either for amputation (n = 9,10.1%) due to vessels/nerve infiltration, or R1/R2 resection (n = 80,89.9%). Seventy-two (80.0%) pedicle flaps and 18 (20.0%) free flaps were used. No R2 resections were performed. R0 and R1 margins were achieved in 82 (92.1%) and 7 (7.9%), respectively. The median closest margin was 3 mm (IQR 1–6 mm). Among R1 patients, 5 had positive margins along a preserved critical structure, 2 patients had well-differentiated liposarcomas. The surgical morbidity rate was 33.3% (30/90 flaps). The reoperation rate was 15.7% (14/89 patients). ConclusionsIn a referral sarcoma center, the collaboration between the surgical oncologist and the plastic surgery team should be considered upfront in the surgical plan, allowing the most adequate wide oncological resection with acceptable postoperative morbidity.

Body composition is associated with operative and oncologic outcomes in the management of retroperitoneal and trunk soft tissue sarcoma

BackgroundSarcopenia, myosteatosis and obesity in cancer may confer negative clinical outcomes, but their prevalence and impact among patients with retroperitoneal and trunk soft tissue sarcoma have not been systematically studied. The aim of this study was to determine body composition among patients with retroperitoneal and trunk sarcoma, and assess impact on operative and oncologic outcomes. MethodsConsecutive patients undergoing treatment with curative intent from 2009 to 2019 were studied. Subcutaneous fat area and visceral fat areas, intramuscular adipose, lean body mass and fat mass were determined at diagnosis by CT at L3. Univariable and multivariable linear, logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression were performed. Results95 patients (43.2% retroperitoneal, 48.4% trunk, 46.3% multivisceral resection) were studied. Visceral obesity was evident in 47.4%. Postoperative morbidity occurred in 25.9%, with preoperative radiotherapy (OR10.53 [95% CI 1.08–102.39], P = 0.042) and fat mass (OR1.41 [1.12–1.79], P = 0.004) independently predictive on multivariable analysis, while intramuscular adipose independently predicted inpatient LOS (P < 0.001), wound infection (P = 0.024, OR1.20 [1.02–1.40]) and major postoperative morbidity (P = 0.027, OR1.15 [1.02–1.31]). Increasing fat mass, subcutaneous fat area and intramuscular adipose were associated with greater tumor size (all P < 0.01), while intramuscular adipose predicted disease progression during neoadjuvant therapy (P = 0.024), and independently predicted disease specific survival (DSS) (P = 0.005, HR1.11 [1.03–1.20]) and overall survival (OS) on multivariable analysis (P < 0.001, HR1.19 [1.08–1.31]). ConclusionVisceral obesity is common in retroperitoneal and trunk sarcoma, and measures of adiposity are associated with adverse operative, but not oncologic outcomes. Myosteatosis is independently associated with postoperative morbidity and adverse oncologic outcomes. Body composition may represent a marker of risk among patients with retroperitoneal and trunk sarcoma.

Free Flap Reconstruction of Posterior Trunk Soft-Tissue Defects: Single-Institution Experience and Systematic Literature Review

The posterior trunk is a technically demanding location for microvascular free tissue transfer. In this study, the authors report their own institutional experience with soft-tissue free flap reconstruction of the posterior trunk and provide a systematic review of the literature regarding this uncommon clinical scenario. A systematic review was performed using the PubMed database in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A single-institution retrospective review was also performed including all patients who received a soft-tissue free flap for a posterior trunk defect between 1990 and 2019. The database search yielded 15 articles, representing 61 patients; the most commonly used flap was the latissimus dorsi (45.9 percent) and the most commonly reported defect location was the lumbosacrum (42.3 percent). Retrospective review of the authors' database identified 26 patients, with the latissimus dorsi being the most common flap and the sacrum the most common defect site. The authors' institutional case series showed a 30.7 percent major complication rate and 7.7 percent total flap loss rate; 38.4 percent of flaps required vein grafting. In this study, the authors provided a systematic literature review and described their own long-term institutional experience with these rare and difficult reconstructions. Although the overall complication rate is high, these reconstructions are frequently necessary, and an algorithmic approach can improve outcomes. Therapeutic, IV.

Unplanned Excision of Extremity and Trunk Wall Soft Tissue Sarcoma: To Re-resect or Not to Re-resect?

The need for systematic reexcision in patients who underwent unplanned excision (UE) for extremity and superficial trunk soft tissue sarcoma (ESTSTS) has been questioned. We investigated the outcome of patients who underwent reexcision for ESTSTS compared with primarily resected at our institution and the prognostic impact of microscopic residual disease (MR) in the reexcision specimen. Primary ESTSTS patients surgically treated at our institution between 1997 and 2017 were divided in three groups: primarily resected (A), reexcised after macroscopically complete UE (B), and incomplete UE (C). Weighted overall survival (OS), crude cumulative incidence of local relapse (CCI-LR), and distant metastasis (CCI-DM) were calculated and compared. In group B, multivariable models were performed to assess factors associated with the outcomes. A total of 1962 patients were identified: 1076,697 and 189 in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Overall median follow-up was 85 months. Seven-year weighted-OS was 73.8%, 84.1%, and 80.7% (p < 0.001) for groups A, B, and C respectively. Seven-year CCI-LR and DM were 5.0% and 25.3%, 12.1% and 15.8%, and 13.6% and 29.4% (both p < 0.001) for groups A, B, and C, respectively. At multivariable analysis, the presence MR was associated with LR (p < 0.001) but not with OS nor CCI-DM. UE and the presence of MR at pathology in reexcision specimen are associated to a higher risk of LR but not to a higher risk of DM or lower OS. After macroscopic complete UE, postponing reexcision until a LR occurs may be considered on an individualized basis.

The value of re-staging chest CT at first local recurrence of extremity and trunk soft tissue sarcoma

To determine the prevalence of pulmonary metastases on re-staging chest CT at the time of first local recurrence (LR) of trunk or extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Retrospective review of all patients diagnosed with recurrent STS between May 2007 and April 2018. Data collected included patient age and sex, site of primary STS, time to LR, recurrence site, initial tumour grade, recurrent tumour grade, findings of initial staging chest CT, and prevalence of pulmonary metastases on re-staging chest CT. The study included 109 patients (males = 68, females = 41; mean age 56years, range 9-92years). The commonest tumour sub-types were myxofibrosarcoma (27.5%), undifferentiated pleomorphic/spindle cell sarcoma (20.2%), synovial sarcoma (10.1%), and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (10.1%). Initial staging chest CT demonstrated pulmonary metastases in 1 of 77 (1.3%) patients for whom CT was available for review. The mean time to LR was 30.8months (range 3-224months). Pulmonary metastases were diagnosed on re-staging chest CT in 26 of 109 cases (23.9%), being commonest with grade 3 STS (36.1%). Pleomorphic sarcoma (85.7%) and undifferentiated spindle cell sarcoma (33.3%) were the 2 commonest tumour sub-types associated with pulmonary metastases at first LR. Re-staging chest CT at the time of first LR of STS identified a prevalence of 23.9% pulmonary metastases, which supports the need for chest CT at the time of LR in line with the UK guidelines for the management of bone and soft tissue sarcoma. • Pulmonary metastases were diagnosed in 1.3% of soft tissue sarcomas at presentation. • Pulmonary metastases were identified in ~ 24% of patients at first local recurrence of soft tissue sarcoma, most commonly with pleomorphic sarcoma and Trojani grade tumours. • No patient with a low-grade recurrence had pulmonary metastases.

Anthracycline-based and gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting for stage I uterine leiomyosarcoma: a retrospective analysis at two reference centers

BackgroundRadically resected early uterine leiomyosarcoma (eULMS) is still marked by a poor prognosis. Adjuvant strategies investigated up to now have not been corroborated by controlled studies. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcome of eULMS patients treated with adjuvant anthracycline-based or gemcitabine-based chemotherapy at two Italian reference centers.MethodsIn this explorative, retrospective, cohort analysis, we included all the consecutive patients with radically resected eULMS treated at two centers between 1997 and 2017.ResultsA total of 109 consecutive patients were included. Sixty-six (60%) received an anthracycline-based regimen, whereas 43 (40%) received a gemcitabine-based regimen. Median disease-free survival (DFS) was 41.3 months with anthracycline-based regimens compared to 20.9 months with gemcitabine-based regimens (HR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.30–0.80; P = 0.004). In the multivariable model, anthracycline-based regimens were independently associated with a better DFS. No difference in terms of overall survival was observed.ConclusionsDFS was not the same by using an anthracycline-based or a gemcitabine-based adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with radically resected eULMS. The results of our study are in line with recent prospective controlled evidence in limb and superficial trunk soft tissue sarcomas. The role of anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy should still be viewed as a research issue in eULMS.

Chemotherapy and Survival in Patients with Primary High-Grade Extremity and Trunk Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

The use of upfront chemotherapy for primary localized soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the extremity and trunk is debated. It remains unclear if chemotherapy adds clinical benefit, which patients are likely to benefit, and whether the timing of therapy affects outcomes. We used the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to examine the association between overall survival (OS) and chemotherapy in 5436 patients with the five most common subtypes of STS with primary disease localized to the extremity or trunk, mirroring the patient population of a modern phase 3 clinical trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We then examined associations between timing of multi-agent chemotherapy (neoadjuvant or adjuvant) and OS. We used a Cox proportional hazards model and propensity score matching (PSM) to account for covariates including demographic, patient, clinical, treatment, and facility factors. In the overall cohort, we observed no association between multi-agent chemotherapy or its timing and improved OS. Multi-agent chemotherapy was associated with improved OS in several subgroups, including patients with larger tumors (>5 cm), those treated at high-volume centers, or those who received radiation. We also identified an OS benefit to multi-agent chemotherapy among the elderly (>70 years) and African American patients. Multi-agent chemotherapy was associated with improved survival for patients with tumors >5 cm, who receive radiation, or who receive care at high-volume centers. Neither younger age nor chemotherapy timing was associated with better outcomes. These ‘real-world’ findings align with recent randomized trial data supporting the use of multi-agent chemotherapy in high-risk patients with localized STS.