High-Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Children with High-Risk or Recurrent Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Despite increasing evidence that high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDCT/auto-SCT) might improve the survival of patients with high-risk or recurrent solid tumors, therapy effectiveness for bone and soft tissue sarcoma treatment remains unclear. This study retrospectively investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of HDCT/auto-SCT for high-risk or recurrent bone and soft tissue sarcoma. A total of 28 patients (18 high-risk and 10 recurrent) underwent single or tandem HDCT/auto-SCT between October 2004 and September 2014. During follow-up of a median 15.3 months, 18 patients exhibited disease progression and 2 died of treatment-related toxicities (1 veno-occlusive disease and 1 sepsis). Overall, 8 patients remained alive and progression-free. The 3-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) rates for all 28 patients were 28.7% and 26.3%, respectively. In the subgroup analysis, OS and EFS rates were higher in patients with complete or partial remission prior to HDCT/auto-SCT than in those with worse responses (OS, 39.1% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.002; EFS, 36.8% vs. 0.0%, P < 0.001). Therefore, careful selection of patients who can benefit from HDCT/auto-SCT and maximal effort to reduce tumor burden prior to treatment will be important to achieve favorable outcomes in patients with high-risk or recurrent bone and soft tissue sarcomas.

Comparative study of planned and unplanned excisions for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities

OBJECTIVE: Unplanned excision of soft tissue sarcomas is common because benign soft tissue lesions are very frequent. This study evaluated the impact of unplanned resections on overall survival, local recurrence and distant metastasis in patients with soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities. METHODS: In total, 52 patients who were diagnosed with soft tissue sarcomas between May 2001 and March 2011 were analyzed in a retrospective study. Of these patients, 29 (55.8%) had not undergone previous treatment and the remaining 23 (44.2%) patients had undergone prior resection of the tumor without oncological planning. All subsequent surgical procedures were performed at the same cancer referral center. The follow-up ranged from 6 to 122 months, with a mean of 39.89 months. Age, lesion size and depth, histological grade, surgical margins, overall survival, local and distant recurrence and adjuvant therapies were compared. RESULTS: Residual disease was observed in 91.3% of the re-resected specimens in the unplanned excision group, which exhibited greater numbers of superficial lesions, low histological grades and contaminated surgical margins compared with the re-resected specimens in the planned excision group. No differences were observed in local recurrence and 5-year overall survival between the groups, but distant metastases were significantly associated with planned excision after adjustment for the variables. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference between patients undergoing unplanned excision and planned excision regarding local recurrence and overall survival. The planned excision group had a higher risk of distant metastasis, whereas there was a high rate of residual cancer in the unplanned excision group. .

Sarcoma epitelióide: aspectos clínicos, fatores prognósticos e sobrevida / Epithelioid sarcoma: clinical behavior, prognostic factors and survival

OBJETIVO: Descrever os aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos, o tratamento e o prognóstico dos pacientes com sarcoma epitelióide. MÉTODOS: Revisão do prontuário de 25 pacientes matriculados no INCA com o diagnóstico de sarcoma epitelióide, no período de 05 de junho de 1987 à 15 de julho de 2005. RESULTADOS: A idade mediana foi de 33 anos, variando de 10 à 70 anos. A localização primária mais freqüente foi os membros superiores em doze casos (48 por cento). O tamanho do tumor foi descrito em 19 casos e a mediana foi de 5cm, variando de 1,5 à 15cm. A cirurgia foi realizada em dezessete pacientes com onze amputações. As margens cirúrgicas estavam livres em quinze pacientes, comprometidas em três e em sete não foram relatadas. Seis receberam tratamento com algum tipo de quimioterapia e quatorze receberam tratamento com radioterapia com dose mediana de 46,5Gy. Recidiva local ocorreu em treze casos (52 por cento). Recidiva nodal foi diagnosticada em nove pacientes (36 por cento). Metástase pulmonar foi diagnosticada em sete pacientes (28 por cento). Seis pacientes realizaram o tratamento oncológico na sua totalidade no INCA. Atualmente doze estão vivos sem doença, dois estão vivos com doença e onze pacientes foram a óbito. CONCLUSÃO: O sarcoma epitelióide é um subtipo raro de sarcoma de partes moles que apresenta alta taxa de recidiva local, regional e metástase à distância. Incide principalmente nas extremidades de pacientes jovens. O tratamento cirúrgico consiste em ressecção alargada com margens livres.

OBJECTIVE: To relate the clinical characteristics and evaluations of patients with epithelioid sarcomas. METHODS: Careful analysis of 25 epithelioid sarcoma cases registered in Instituto Nacional do Cancer between june 1987 and july 2005. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 33 years old, ranged from 10 to 70. The primary site of presentation was the upper extremity in twelve patients (48 percent). The size of the tumor was given in 19 cases, with the mean size of 5cm, while they ranged from 1,5 to 15cm. Surgery was made in 17 patients, with eleven amputation. Tumors margins were free in fifteen patients, positive in three and in seven were not studied. Six received any type of quimiotherapy and 14 received treatment with radiotherapy with mean dose of 46,5 Gy. Local recurrence occurred in thirteen cases (52 percent). Nodal spread was diagnosed in nine (36 percent). Pulmonary metastases were diagnosed in seven patients (28 percent). Six patients underwent cancer treatment in its entirety at the National Institute of Cancer. At present twelve patients are alive without disease, two have disease and eleven patients have died. CONCLUSION: Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare subset of soft tissue sarcoma with high rate of local recurrence, regional node and distant metastases. Occurs predominantly in young patients, mainly on the superior member extremities. Surgical treatment of epithelioid sarcoma consists of early wide local resection to negative microscopic margins. These patients require carefully follow-up to evaluate local recurrence, nodal metastases, and pulmonary metastases.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies for soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities are still controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of a protocol of neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for extremity sarcomas. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out in a consecutive series of 49 adult patients with advanced extremity soft tissue sarcomas that could not be resected with adequate margins during the primary resection. All patients were treated with a protocol of preoperative radiation therapy at a total dose of 30 Gy, concomitant with doxorubicin (60 mg/m²) chemotherapy. The main endpoints assessed were local recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival and overall survival. The median follow-up time was 32.1 months. RESULTS: The five-year local recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival and overall survival rates were 81.5 percent, 46.7 percent and 58.3 percent, respectively. For high-grade tumors, the five-year metastasis-free and overall survival rates were only 36.3 percent and 41.2 percent, respectively. Severe wound complications were observed in 41.8 percent of the patients who underwent surgery. These complications precluded adjuvant chemotherapy in 73.7 percent (14/19) of the patients eligible to receive it. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy was associated with a good local control rate, but the distant relapse-free rate and overall survival rate were still poor. The high rate of wound complications modified the planning of adjuvant treatment in most patients.

Prognostic factors and expression of MDM2 in patients with primary extremity liposarcoma

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate MDM2 (murine double minute 2) protein expression and evaluate its relationship with some anatomical and pathological aspects, aiming also to identify prognostic factors concerning local recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival and overall survival in patients with primary liposarcomas of the extremities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 50 patients with primary liposarcomas of the extremities admitted to a Reference Service, between 1968 and 2004, 25 were enrolled in the study, following eligibility and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: The adverse factors that influenced the risk for local recurrence in the univariant analysis included male sex (P = 0.023), pleomorphic histological subtype (P = 0.027), and high histological grade (P = 0.007). Concerning metastasis-free survival, age less than 50 years (P = 0.040), male sex (P = 0.040), pleomorphic subtype (P < 0.001), and high histological grade (P = 0.003) had a worse prognosis. Adverse factors for overall survival were age under 50 years (P = 0.040), male sex (P = 0.040), pleomorphic subtype (P < 0.001), and high histological grade (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: There was no correlation between immunohistochemically observed MDM2 protein expressions and the anatomical and pathological variables studied. The immunohistochemical expression of MDM2 protein was not considered to have a prognostic value for any of the surviving patients in this study (local recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival, or overall survival). The immunoexpression of MDM2 protein was a frequent event in the different subtypes of liposarcomas.

Synovial sarcoma of the extremities: prognostic factors for 20 nonmetastatic cases and a new histologic grading system with prognostic significance

PURPOSE: To evaluate 20 cases of nonmetastatic synovial sarcoma of the extremities regarding prognostic factors, and to propose a histologic grading system with prognostic significance. METHODS: The cases of 20 patients (14 females and 6 males) with nonmetastatic synovial sarcomas of the extremities treated between 1985 and 1998, were retrospectively evaluated regarding prognostic factors. A histologic grading system with prognostic significance is proposed. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 48.4 months (range, 16-116 months). There was local recurrence in 3 cases (15 percent), microscopic surgical margin being the only prognostic factor identified. Seven patients (35 percent) died of the disease in a mean postoperative period of 31.7 months (range, 16-53 months), all with pulmonary or brain metastasis. The survival rate was 65 percent in 48.4 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: The unfavorable prognostic factors identified regarding survival were high histologic grade, tumors proximal to the knee or elbow, and spontaneous tumor necrosis over 25 percent. Local recurrence did not have influence on survival in this study. The presence of mast cells appears to have a positive influence on survival, although statistical significance was not reached (P = 0.07). The oncologic and functional result was good in 6 cases (30 percent), regular in 7 (35 percent), and poor in 7 cases (35 percent).

OBJETIVO: Avaliar casos de sarcoma sinovial não-metastático das extremidades no que se refere a fatores prognósticos, e propor um sistema histológico de pontuação com significado prognóstico. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Vinte casos (14 do sexo feminino e 6 do sexo masculino) de sarcomas sinoviais não-metastáticos das extremidades tratados entre 1985 e 1998 no departamento de Ortopedia foram avaliados retrospectivamente no que se refere a fatores prognósticos e está sendo proposto um sistema de pontuação histológico com significado prognóstico. RESULTADOS: A média dos períodos de acompanhamento foi 48,4 meses (mínimo 16 meses, máximo 116). Houve recorrência localizada em 3 casos (15 por cento), sendo a margem cirúrgica microscópica o único fator prognóstico identificado. Sete pacientes (35 por cento) morreram da doença, todos em período pós-operatório médio de 31,7 meses (mínimo 16 meses, máximo 53), todos com metástase pulmonar ou cerebral. A sobrevida foi de 65 por cento em 48,4 meses de acompanhamento. CONCLUSÃO: Os fatores prognósticos desfavoráveis identificados referentes à sobrevida foram: grau histológico alto, tumores proximais de joelho ou cotovelo e necrose espontânea de tumor acima de 25 por cento. Neste estudo, a recorrência localizada não influiu na sobrevida. Parece que a presença de mastócitos influi positivamente na sobrevida, porém não obtivemos significado estatístico (p=0,07). O resultado oncológico e funcional foi bom em seis casos (30 por cento), regular em sete (35 por cento) e insatisfatório em sete (35 por cento).

Sarcomas de partes moles primários de tronco e extremidades em lactentes / Primary trunk and extremities soft sarcomas in infants

Durante o período de janeiro de 1970 a dezembro de 1991, 30 lactentes portadores de sarcoma de partes moles primário do tronco e extremidades foram admitidos no Departamento de Pediatria do Hospital do Câncer. Treze neoplasias eram originárias da parede torácica e abdominal; 13, de membros inferiores; e quatro, de membros superiores. Dez pacientes apresentavam doença localizada e 20, doença avançada. Em relaçäo ao tipo histológico, 18 tumores foram classificados como sarcomas de partes moles näo rabdomiossarcoma. Quinze crianças estäo vivas sem evidência de doença; uma, viva com segundo tumor (LLA); três foram perdidos de seguimento e 11 foram a óbito (10 por progressäo de doença e um por toxicidade). A intervençäo cirúrgica, a quimioterapia e a radioterapia utilizadas isoladamente ou combinadas na dependência do tipo histológico e extensäo da doença nos pacientes portadores de sarcomas de partes moles foram responsáveis pelo aumento da taxa de cura nesses casos. As características intrínsecas do lactente fazem com que cada vez mais esses recursos terapêuticos venham a ser aprimorados a fim de que os efeitos colaterais decorrentes do tratamento sejam evitados ou minimizados. Ao analisarmos lactentes portadores de sarcomas de partes moles, pudemos avaliar os efeitos deletérios decorrentes da terapêutica preconizada nos anos 70 e 80, atentando para o fato de que cada vez mais, cura e qualidade de vida devem caminhar paralelamente. Os avanços em biologia molecular poderÝo, num futuro próximo, selecionar pacientes de maior ou menor risco, preconizando tratamentos mais e menos agressivos na dependência do prognóstico. O fator prognóstico mais importante foi a extensäo da doença ao diagnóstico.

Sarcoma de partes blandas: estudio comparativo de dos decenios / Sarcoma of soft parts: a comparative study of two decades

Se revisan todos los pacientes con diagnostico histologico de sarcoma de partes blandas atendidos en el INOR, durante los anos 1963-1982, comparandose la incidencia, la distribucion por grupos etareos y el sexo, asi como la localizacion del tumor, la histologia, el tratamiento y la sobrevida. Se senala que las tasas de incidencia se mantuvieron sin variacion en el periodo asi como la atencion de pacientes en etapas tardias, pero que en el decenio 1973-1982, se logro un aumento de la sobrevida de los casos gracias al manejo multidisciplinario y a una metodologia adecuada de diagnostico y estadiamiento

Radioterapia nos sarcomas de partes moles / Radiotherapy in soft tissue sarcomas

Apresentada uma avaliaçäo de 32 casos de sarcomas de partes moles atendidos num período de seis anos. Dezenove pacientes receberam radioterapia pós-operatória, um recebeu no pré-operatório (com quimioterapia), nove receberam radioterapia exclusiva associada ou näo a quimioterapia e três pacientes näo foram irradiados, sendo tratados por cirurgia e/ou quimioterapia. A taxa de sobrevida livre da doença foi de 40,6% em cinco anos, correspondendo a 13 pacientes, todos operados. Dos 19 pacientes restantes, 25% apresentaram recidiva local, 32,4% persistiram com doença local ou metastática e 25% faleceram num período de seguimento médio de 19 meses. Näo foram observadas complicaçöes graves devidas exclusivamente à radioterapia. A associaçäo de radioterapia com cirurgia conservadora é de grande utilidade no controle local dos sarcomas de parte moles, mantendo a funçäo de membros e atividade normal dos pacientes

Sarcomas de partes blandas: análisis de su comportamiento / Soft tissue sarcomas: analysis of its behaviour

Se estudian 200 casos de sarcomas de partes blandas que abarcan las variedades histológicas más frecuentes inscriptas en el Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiobiología durante los años 1963 a 1972 conjuntamente con la información obtenida por el Registro Nacional del Cáncer acerca de estos tumores y los trabajos publicados por nuestro centro desde 1963 a 1983 para analizar el comportamiento de esta enfermedad, y llegar a la conclusión de que los tumores malignos de las partes blandas son lesiones que se observan con relativa poca frecuencia, pero su incidencia y mortalidad han tenido tendencia a elevarse constantemente en los últimos años. La enfermedad se observa en todas las edades de preferencia por encima de los 30 años, y predomina en el sexo masculino, y son los tipos histológicos fundamentales: fibrosarcoma, liposarcoma y rabdomiosarcoma. Los miembros inferiores ocupan el primer lugar en cuanto a localización, pero la enfermedad está muy estrechamente relacionada con la Histología. El sinoviosarcoma y el neurofibrosarcoma se comportan como las lesiones más agresivas por su alto poder de metastización y su elevado índice de metástasis pulmonares y ganglionares. El tratamiento más adecuado es el que contempla el empleo de las armas terapéuticas fundamentales: Cirugía, radiaciones y poliquimioterapia como un todo sincrónico, ajustable, donde se aplica cada una de ellas en el momento requerido. La supervivencia global de 5 años fue del 39%, que está en dependencia con la extensión y localización de la lesión, la edad de presentación, el tipo histológico, el grado de diferenciación tumoral y el tratamiento empleado, como factores fundamentales