Utilizing the Metaverse to Provide Innovative Psychosocial Support for Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Patients with Rare Cancer.

This study investigated the potential of the metaverse in providing psychological support for pediatric and AYA cancer patients, with a focus on those with rare cancers. The research involved ten cancer patients and survivors from four distinct regions in Japan, who participated in metaverse sessions using customizable avatars, facilitating interactions across geographical and temporal barriers. Surveys and qualitative feedback were collected to assess the psychosocial impact of the intervention. The results demonstrated that the metaverse enabled patients to connect with peers, share experiences, and receive emotional support. The anonymity provided by avatars helped reduce appearance-related anxiety and stigma associated with cancer treatment. A case study of a 19-year-old male with spinal Ewing's sarcoma highlighted the profound emotional relief fostered by metaverse interactions. The findings suggest that integrating virtual spaces into healthcare models can effectively address the unique needs of pediatric and AYA cancer patients, offering a transformative approach to delivering psychosocial support and fostering a global patient community. This innovative intervention has the potential to revolutionize patient care in the digital age.

Comparison of clinical outcome between surgical treatment and particle beam therapy for pelvic bone sarcomas: A retrospective multicenter study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have compared the clinical outcomes of patients with pelvic bone sarcomas treated surgically and those treated with particle beam therapy. This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study which compared the clinical outcomes of patients with pelvic bone sarcoma who underwent surgical treatment and particle beam therapy in Japan. METHODS: A total of 116 patients with pelvic bone sarcoma treated at 19 specialized sarcoma centers in Japan were included in this study. Fifty-seven patients underwent surgery (surgery group), and 59 patients underwent particle beam therapy (particle beam group; carbon-ion radiotherapy: 55 patients, proton: four patients). RESULTS: The median age at primary tumor diagnosis was 52 years in the surgery group and 66 years in the particle beam group (P < 0.001), and the median tumor size was 9 cm in the surgery group and 8 cm in the particle beam group (P = 0.091). Overall survival (OS), local control (LC), and metastasis-free survival (MFS) rates were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared among 116 patients with bone sarcoma (surgery group, 57 patients; particle beam group, 59 patients). After propensity score matching, the 3-year OS, LC, and MFS rates were 82.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 60.5-93.2%), 66.0% (95% CI, 43.3-81.3%), and 78.4% (95% CI, 55.5-90.5%), respectively, in the surgery group and 64.9% (95% CI, 41.7-80.8%), 86.4% (95% CI, 63.3-95.4%), and 62.6% (95% CI, 38.5-79.4%), respectively, in the particle beam group. In chordoma patients, only surgery was significantly correlated with worse LC in the univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The groups had no significant differences in the OS, LC, and MFS rates. Among the patients with chordomas, the 3-year LC rate in the particle beam group was significantly higher than in the surgery group.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features for Differentiating Low-Grade and High-Grade Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings for differentiating low-grade and high-grade malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). METHODS: This study included 31 patients (onset age range, 19-83 years; mean onset age, 57 years; 9 men and 22 women) with 36 histopathologically proven MPNSTs (7 low-grade MPNSTs and 29 high-grade MPNSTs) who underwent preoperative MRI between December 2007 and October 2022. Quantitative and qualitative MRI findings were retrospectively evaluated and compared between the 2 subtypes. RESULTS: The maximum tumor diameter (106.1 ± 64.0 vs 54.9 ± 19.8 mm, P = 0.032) and tumor-to-muscle signal intensity ratio (SIR) of fat-suppressed gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images (2.69 ± 1.40 vs 1.62 ± 0.40, P = 0.005) were significantly higher in high-grade MPNSTs than in low-grade MPNSTs. The receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that the tumor-to-muscle SIR of fat-suppressed gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images exhibited the highest area under the curve value (0.88), followed by the maximum tumor diameter (0.76). The sensitivity and specificity of the tumor-to-muscle SIR of fat-suppressed gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images for diagnosing high-grade MPNST at an optimal SIR threshold of greater than 1.73 were 90% and 83%, respectively. However, other MRI findings showed no significant differences between the 2 subtypes (P = 0.16-1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Although the MRI findings of low-grade and high-grade MPNST overlapped considerably, the maximum tumor diameter and degree of contrast enhancement can be used to differentiate low-grade MPNST from high-grade MPNST.

Clinical Outcome in Patients With High-grade Soft-tissue Sarcoma Receiving Prosthetic Replacement After Tumor Resection of the Lower Extremities: Tokai Musculoskeletal Oncology Consortium Study.

AIM: This multicenter retrospective study aimed to clarify the surgical and oncological outcomes of patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcoma (STS) who underwent prosthetic replacement reconstruction after lower extremity tumor resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively collected the data of 27 patients with high-grade STS. The mean follow-up duration after prosthetic replacement was 44.7 months. RESULTS: The mean age at surgery was 63 years. The mean tumor size was 16 cm. For reconstruction, proximal femur replacement was performed in 15 patients, distal femur replacement in six, and total femur replacement in six. The major complications were infections in nine patients and aseptic loosening in four. Nine patients developed local recurrence. The cause of revision surgery was infection in five patients, aseptic loosening in three, and metal allergy in one. The 5-year prosthetic survival rate was 51.1%. At the final follow-up, amputation was performed in five patients. The 5-year limb salvage rate was 76.8%. The mean functional score of the 25 patients who could be assessed was 16.0 (53%). Of the 27 patients, five were excluded from the survival analysis because they underwent prosthetic replacement for local recurrence. The 5-year overall survival rate in the remaining 22 patients was 45.3%. CONCLUSION: We identified a high rate of surgical complications and poor survival in patients with high-grade STS who underwent tumor resection and reconstruction using prosthetic replacement of the lower extremities, although limb salvage was achieved in 81.5% of the patients. Careful follow-up is needed for surgical complications and oncological events after surgery.

What Are the Complications, Function, and Survival of Tumor-devitalized Autografts Used in Patients With Limb-sparing Surgery for Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors? A Japanese Musculoskeletal Oncology Group Multi-institutional Study.

BACKGROUND: Tumor-devitalized autografts treated with deep freezing, pasteurization, and irradiation are biological reconstruction methods after tumor excision for aggressive or malignant bone or soft tissue tumors that involve a major long bone. Tumor-devitalized autografts do not require a bone bank, they carry no risk of viral or bacterial disease transmission, they are associated with a smaller immunologic response, and they have a better shape and size match to the site in which they are implanted. However, they are associated with disadvantages as well; it is not possible to assess margins and tumor necrosis, the devitalized bone is not normal and has limited healing potential, and the biomechanical strength is decreased owing to processing and tumor-related bone loss. Because this technique is not used in many countries, there are few reports on the results of this procedure such as complications, graft survival, and limb function. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What was the rate of complications such as fracture, nonunion, infection, or recurrence in a tumor-devitalized autograft treated with deep freezing, pasteurization, and irradiation, and what factors were associated with the complication? (2) What were the 5-year and 10-year grafted bone survival (free from graft bone removal) of the three methods used to devitalize a tumor-containing autograft, and what factors were associated with grafted bone survival? (3) What was the proportion of patients with union of the tumor-devitalized autograft and what factors were associated with union of the graft-host bone junction? (4) What was the limb function after the tumor-devitalized autograft, and what factors were related to favorable limb function? METHODS: This was a retrospective, multicenter, observational study that included data from 26 tertiary sarcoma centers affiliated with the Japanese Musculoskeletal Oncology Group. From January 1993 to December 2018, 494 patients with benign or malignant tumors of the long bones were treated with tumor-devitalized autografts (using deep freezing, pasteurization, or irradiation techniques). Patients who were treated with intercalary or composite (an osteoarticular autograft with a total joint arthroplasty) tumor-devitalized autografts and followed for at least 2 years were considered eligible for inclusion. Accordingly, 7% (37 of 494) of the patients were excluded because they died within 2 years; in 19% (96), an osteoarticular graft was used, and another 10% (51) were lost to follow-up or had incomplete datasets. We did not collect information on those who died or were lost to follow-up. Considering this, 63% of the patients (310 of 494) were included in the analysis. The median follow-up was 92 months (range 24 to 348 months), the median age was 27 years (range 4 to 84), and 48% (148 of 310) were female; freezing was performed for 47% (147) of patients, pasteurization for 29% (89), and irradiation for 24% (74). The primary endpoints of this study were the cumulative incidence rate of complications and the cumulative survival of grafted bone, assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method. We used the classification of complications and graft failures proposed by the International Society of Limb Salvage. Factors relating to complications and grafted autograft removal were analyzed. The secondary endpoints were the proportion of bony union and better limb function, evaluated by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score. Factors relating to bony union and limb function were also analyzed. Data were investigated in each center by a record review and transferred to Kanazawa University. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence rate of any complication was 42% at 5 years and 51% at 10 years. The most frequent complications were nonunion in 36 patients and infection in 34 patients. Long resection (≥ 15 cm) was associated with an increased risk of any complication based on the multivariate analyses (RR 1.8 [95% CI 1.3 to 2.5]; p < 0.01). There was no difference in the rate of complications among the three devitalizing methods. The cumulative graft survival rates were 87% at 5 years and 81% at 10 years. After controlling for potential confounding variables including sex, resection length, reconstruction type, procedure type, and chemotherapy, we found that long resection (≥ 15 cm) and composite reconstruction were associated with an increased risk of grafted autograft removal (RR 2.5 [95% CI 1.4 to 4.5]; p < 0.01 and RR 2.3 [95% CI 1.3 to 4.1]; p < 0.01). The pedicle freezing procedure showed better graft survival than the extracorporeal devitalizing procedures (94% versus 85% in 5 years; RR 3.1 [95% CI 1.1 to 9.0]; p = 0.03). No difference was observed in graft survival among the three devitalizing methods. Further, 78% (156 of 200 patients) of patients in the intercalary group and 87% (39 of 45 patients) of those in the composite group achieved primary union within 2 years. Male sex and the use of nonvascularized grafts were associated with an increased risk of nonunion (RR 2.8 [95% CI 1.3 to 6.1]; p < 0.01 and 0.28 [95% CI 0.1 to 1.0]; p = 0.04, respectively) in the intercalary group after controlling for confounding variables, including sex, site, chemotherapy, resection length, graft type, operation time, and fixation type. The median Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 83% (range 12% to 100%). After controlling for confounding variables including age, site, resection length, event occurrence, and graft removal, age younger than 40 years (RR 2.0 [95% CI 1.1 to 3.7]; p = 0.03), tibia (RR 6.9 [95% CI 2.7 to 17.5]; p < 0.01), femur (RR 4.8 [95% CI 1.9 to 11.7]; p < 0.01), no event (RR 2.2 [95% CI 1.1 to 4.5]; p = 0.03), and no graft removal (RR 2.9 [95% CI 1.2 to 7.3]; p = 0.03) were associated with an increased limb function. The composite graft was associated with decreased limb function (RR 0.4 [95% CI 0.2 to 0.7]; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This multicenter study revealed that frozen, irradiated, and pasteurized tumor-bearing autografts had similar rates of complications and graft survival and all resulted in similar limb function. The recurrence rate was 10%; however, no tumor recurred with the devitalized autograft. The pedicle freezing procedure reduces the osteotomy site, which may contribute to better graft survival. Furthermore, tumor-devitalized autografts had reasonable survival and favorable limb function, which are comparable to findings reported for bone allografts. Overall, tumor-devitalized autografts are a useful option for biological reconstruction and are suitable for osteoblastic tumors or osteolytic tumors without severe loss of mechanical bone strength. Tumor-devitalized autografts could be considered when obtaining allografts is difficult and when a patient is unwilling to have a tumor prosthesis and allograft for various reasons such as cost or socioreligious reasons. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

Comparison of MRI Findings among Osteofibrous Dysplasia, Fibrous Dysplasia, and NonOssifying Fibroma of the Long Bone.

Background The characteristics of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings among osteofibrous dysplasia (OFD), fibrous dysplasia (FD), and nonossifying fibroma (NOF) have yet to be determined. Aims This study determines the differences of MRI features among OFD, FD, and NOF of the long bone. Patients and Methods This study included 39 patients including 10 OFD, 13 with FD, and 16 with NOF of the long bone. All patients underwent preoperative MRI and histological examination. We retrospectively reviewed the MRIs and compared the imaging findings among the three pathologies. Results The maximum diameter was significantly different among OFD (47.0 ± 18.6 mm), FD (59.0 ± 35.0 mm), and NOF (33.3 ± 15.0 mm) ( p < 0.05). Multiplicity (60%, p < 0.01), eccentric distribution (100%, p < 0.05), septation (70%, p < 0.01), homogeneous intensity on T2-weighted images (70%, p < 0.01), homogeneous contrast enhancement (63%, p < 0.05), and intense contrast enhancement (88%, p < 0.01) were significantly more frequent in OFD. Centric distribution (69%, p < 0.01), cyst formation (54%, p < 0.01), and fluid-fluid level formation (31%, p < 0.01) were significantly more frequent in FD. Eccentric distribution (100%, p < 0.01), heterogeneous on T2-weighted images (100%, p < 0.01), predominant hypointensity on T2-weighted images (44%, p < 0.01), and the presence of intralesional hypointensity on T2-weighted images (88%, p < 0.01) were significantly more frequent in NOF. Conclusion MRI features could differentiate OFD, FD, and NOF of the long bone.

Protocol for the 2ND-STEP study, Japan Clinical Oncology Group study JCOG1802: a randomized phase II trial of second-line treatment for advanced soft tissue sarcoma comparing trabectedin, eribulin and pazopanib.

BACKGROUND: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a rare type of malignancy comprising a variety of histological diagnoses. Chemotherapy constitutes the standard treatment for advanced STS. Doxorubicin-based regimens, which include the administration of doxorubicin alone or in combination with ifosfamide or dacarbazine, are widely accepted as first-line chemotherapy for advanced STS. Trabectedin, eribulin, pazopanib, and gemcitabine plus docetaxel (GD), which is the empirical standard therapy in Japan, are major candidates for second-line chemotherapy for advanced STS, although clear evidence of the superiority of any one regimen is lacking. The Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor Study Group of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) conducts this trial to select the most promising regimen among trabectedin, eribulin, and pazopanib for comparison with GD as the test arm regimen in a future phase III trial of second-line treatment for patients with advanced STS. METHODS: The JCOG1802 study is a multicenter, selection design, randomized phase II trial comparing trabectedin (1.2 mg/m2 intravenously, every 3 weeks), eribulin (1.4 mg/m2 intravenously, days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks), and pazopanib (800 mg orally, every day) in patients with unresectable or metastatic STS refractory to doxorubicin-based first-line chemotherapy. The principal eligibility criteria are patients aged 16 years or above; unresectable and/or metastatic STS; exacerbation within 6 months prior to registration; histopathological diagnosis of STS other than Ewing sarcoma, embryonal/alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, well-differentiated liposarcoma and myxoid liposarcoma; prior doxorubicin-based chemotherapy for STS, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 to 2. The primary endpoint is progression-free survival, and the secondary endpoints include overall survival, disease-control rate, response rate, and adverse events. The total planned sample size to correctly select the most promising regimen with a probability of > 80% is 120. Thirty-seven institutions in Japan will participate at the start of this trial. DISCUSSION: This is the first randomized trial to evaluate trabectedin, eribulin, and pazopanib as second-line therapies for advanced STS. We endeavor to perform a subsequent phase III trial comparing the best regimen selected by this study (JCOG1802) with GD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials ( jRCTs031190152 ) on December 5, 2019.

Phosphoglyceride Crystal Deposition Disease of the Scapula: A Case Report and Literature Review.

CASE: A 76-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of right shoulder pain with no apparent cause. Radiography revealed an ill-defined osteolytic lesion in the right scapular spine with a pathological fracture. Malignant bone tumor was suspected, and a biopsy was performed. Pathological examination with gold hydroxamic acid staining revealed phosphoglyceride crystal deposition. Lesion curettage was performed, and her symptoms improved. No recurrence was observed at the 3-year postoperative follow-up. CONCLUSION: Phosphoglyceride crystal deposition in the bone is an extremely rare disease. The gold hydroxamic acid staining method might be useful for the diagnosis of this condition.

Differences in MRI findings of superficial spindle cell lipoma and atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcoma.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of using MRI findings to differentiate superficial spindle cell lipomas (SCLs) from atypical lipomatous tumor/well-differentiated liposarcomas (ALT/WDLs). METHODS: This study included 12 patients with histopathologically proven superficial SCLs and 11 with ALT/WDLs. MRI findings for both pathologies were retrospectively reviewed and compared between the two pathologies. RESULTS: The neck, upper back, and shoulder regions were more frequent locations of SCLs than of ALT/WDLs (100% vs 55%, p < 0.05), whereas no significant differences were observed in age and sex. The median maximum diameter of the lesion was smaller in SCLs than in ALT/WDLs (44 mm [interquartile range (IQR): 35-63] vs 102 mm [IQR: 86-119], p < 0.05). On T 1 weighted images, non-fatty area was more frequently observed in SCLs than in ALT/WDLs (73% vs 25%, p < 0.05), and the median rate of non-fatty area was larger in SCLs than in ALT/WDLs (7.5% [IQR: 1.0-53] vs 0% [IQR: 0-0.2], p < 0.05). On fat-suppressed T 2 weighted images, a solid hyperintense area was more frequently observed in SCLs than in ALT/WDLs (83% vs 27%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The maximum diameter, non-fatty area on T 1 weighted images, and solid hyperintense area on fat-suppressed T 2 weighted images were useful imaging features for differentiating superficial SCLs from ALT/WDLs. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: In superficial lipomatous tumors, small tumor size and non-fatty solid area were valuable findings for diagnosing SCLs.

The malignant transformation of osteoid osteoma in the cervical spine to high-grade osteosarcoma: a case report and review of literature.

PURPOSE: Osteoid osteoma occasionally occur in the spine, but their malignant transformation is not common. We present an extremely rare case of the malignant transformation of an osteoid osteoma to high-grade osteosarcoma that formed in the pedicle and spread to the lateral mass of the cervical spine. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of an 18-year-old man who suffered from neck pain as an initial symptom. The size of the radiolucent lesion was 12 mm in diameter at the time of diagnosis. Intralesional tumour resection and autologous bone grafting were performed. The remaining tumour grew gradually for 40 months after the surgery; therefore, the tumour had grown rapidly till 51 months after the initial diagnosis. At this stage, the tumour size was approximately 6-fold larger than the initial size, and resulted in progressive paraplegia. A biopsy revealed that the tumour had transformed into a high-grade osteosarcoma. Heavy charged particle irradiation was performed to control tumour growth. CONCLUSIONS: There is a possibility of malignant transformation of osteoid osteoma. Patients with osteoid osteoma or osteoblastoma should be carefully observed, especially for recurrent tumours after an intralesional resection.

MRI features of subcutaneous anterior knee mass associated with a focal defect of the patellar retinaculum.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency and MRI features of a subcutaneous anterior knee mass herniated from the infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP) through a focal defect of the patellar retinaculum (PR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 94 patients (44 men; age range, 1-80 years; mean age, 52 years) with clinically palpable subcutaneous anterior knee masses who underwent MRI between January 2007 and July 2022. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed MRI findings of subcutaneous masses associated with a focal PR defect (location and size of the defect and characteristics of the mass). RESULTS: Among 94 patients, 15 (16%; 5 men; age range, 49-80 years; mean age, 67 years) had subcutaneous masses herniated from the IPFP through a focal PR defect. The defect was single (13/15, 87%) and more frequently observed in the lateral than in the medial (11/15, 73% vs. 4/15, 27%) PR. The defect occurred in the anterior segment (15/15, 100%) and was more frequently observed in the lower (10/15, 67%) than in the middle (5/15, 33%) and upper portions (0/15, 0%). The mean maximum length of the defect in axial and oblique planes was 14 mm and 25 mm, respectively. The defect-associated subcutaneous masses included lipomatous lesion (6/15, 40%), osteochondromatous lesion (5/16, 33%), and synovial fluid or ganglion cyst (4/15, 27%). CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous anterior knee masses were associated with a focal PR defect in 16% cases. The location of a focal PR defect was characterized by the lateral, anterior, and lower segments.

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma in the extremity and trunk wall: A multi-institutional study of 132 cases by the Japanese Musculoskeletal Oncology Group (JMOG).

BACKGROUND: Dedifferentiated liposarcoma occurs predominantly in the retroperitoneum. Given the paucity of cases, information on the clinical characteristics of this entity in the extremities and trunk wall is quite limited. In particular, the significance of preoperative evaluation and principles of intraoperative management of the different components, i.e., well-differentiated and dedifferentiated areas, are still to be defined. METHODS: Clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, and risk factors for poor oncological outcomes in cases of dedifferentiated liposarcoma in the extremity or trunk wall were analyzed by a retrospective, multicentric study. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients were included. The mean duration from the initial presentation to dedifferentiation was 101 months in dedifferentiation-type cases. The 5-year local recurrence-free survival, metastasis-free survival, and disease-specific survival rates were 71.6%, 75.7%, and 84.7%, respectively. Among 32 patients with metastasis, 15 presented with extrapulmonary metastasis. A percentage of dedifferentiated area over 87.5%, marginal/intralesional margin, and R1/2 resection in the dedifferentiated area were independent risk factors for local recurrence. Dedifferentiated areas over 36 cm2, French Federation of Cancer Centers Sarcoma Group grade III, and intralesional or marginal resection were independent risk factors for metastasis. A dedifferentiated area over 77 cm2 and lung metastasis were independent risk factors for disease-specific mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The typical clinical characteristics of dedifferentiated liposarcoma in the extremity and trunk wall were reconfirmed in the largest cohort ever. The evaluation of the dedifferentiated area in terms of grade, extension, and pathological margin, together with securing adequate surgical margins, was critical in the management of this entity.

MRI findings to differentiate musculoskeletal dedifferentiated liposarcoma from atypical lipomatous tumor.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of using MRI findings for differentiating musculoskeletal dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLP) from atypical lipomatous tumor (ALT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 22 patients with histopathologically proven DDLP and 35 with ALT in the musculoskeletal areas. All DDLPs were immunohistochemically positive for MDM2. MRI findings for both pathologies were retrospectively reviewed and compared. RESULTS: The maximum lesion diameter was significantly lower in DDLPs than in ALTs (p < 0.01). Ill-defined margin, peritumoral edema, and tail sign were more frequently observed in DDLPs than in ALTs (p < 0.01, respectively). The fatty component was less frequently observed in DDLPs than in ALTs (27 vs. 100%; p < 0.01), whereas the non-fatty component was more frequently observed in DDLPs than in ALTs (100 vs. 11%; p < 0.01). The occupation rate by non-fatty components was significantly higher in DDLPs than in ALTs (p < 0.01). No significant differences were observed in imaging findings associated with fatty component; however, necrosis within the non-fatty component on the contrast-enhanced image was more frequently observed in DDLPs than in ALTs (72 vs. 0%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: DDLPs always had a non-fatty component, whereas ALTs always had fatty component. Ill-defined margin, peritumoral edema, tail sign, and necrosis within non-fatty components were useful MRI features for differentiating musculoskeletal DDLP from ALT.

Short-term clinical outcomes of Kyocera Modular Limb Salvage System designed cementless stems for the endoprosthetic reconstruction of lower extremities: a Japanese Musculoskeletal Oncology Group multi-institutional study.

BACKGROUND: The high rate of aseptic loosening of cemented stems has led to their frequent use in endoprosthetic reconstruction. However, problems, such as stem breakage and stress shielding at the insertion site, remain. The Japanese Musculoskeletal Oncology Group (JMOG) has developed Kyocera Modular Limb Salvage System (KMLS) cementless stems with a unique tapered press-fit and short fixation design. This study aimed to clarify the short-term postoperative outcomes of this prosthesis and validate the stem design. METHODS: One hundred cases of KMLS cementless stems (51 male patients; median age, 49 years; mean follow-up period, 35 months), with a minimum follow-up of 2 years, for the proximal femur (PF), distal femur (DF), and proximal tibia were prospectively registered for use. Prosthesis survival, complication rates, postoperative functional, and radiographical evaluation were analyzed. Complications or failures after insertion of the KMLS endoprostheses were classified into five types and functional results were analyzed according to the MSTS scoring system at postoperative 1 year. The diaphyseal interface and anchorage were graded by the ISOLS system at postoperative 2 years. RESULTS: The overall prosthesis survival rates at 2 and 4 years were 88.2 and 79.6%, respectively. The prosthesis-specific survival rate excluding infection and tumor recurrence was 90.2 and 87.9%, respectively. Younger age (p = 0.045) and primary tumor (p = 0.057) were associated with poor prognosis of prosthesis-specific survival excluding infection and tumor recurrence. Complications were observed in 31 patients, 13 patients underwent revision surgery. The mean MSTS functional score at 1 year postoperatively was 68%. Early implant loosening was significantly more common in the DF (p = 0.006) and PF/DF straight stem (p = 0.038). The ISOLS radiographic evaluation at 2 years after surgery revealed good bone remodeling and anchorage in most cases (bone remodeling: 90% / excellent and good, anchorage: 97% / excellent and good). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor endoprosthesis long-term fixation to the diaphysis of the lower extremity remains challenging. The KMLS cementless stem with a unique tapered press fit design showed good short-term results in maintaining bone stock. To prevent early loosening, a curved stem should be used in PF and DF, but long-term follow-up is necessary.

Perioperative Adriamycin plus ifosfamide vs. gemcitabine plus docetaxel for high-risk soft tissue sarcomas: randomised, phase II/III study JCOG1306.

BACKGROUND: This randomised phase II/III trial aimed to determine whether perioperative chemotherapy with gemcitabine plus docetaxel (GD) is non-inferior to the standard Adriamycin plus ifosfamide (AI) in terms of overall survival (OS) in patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS). METHODS: Patients with localised high-risk STS in the extremities or trunk were randomised to receive AI or GD. The treatments were repeated for three preoperative and two postoperative courses. The primary endpoint was OS. RESULTS: Among 143 enrolled patients who received AI (70 patients) compared to GD (73 patients), the estimated 3-year OS was 91.4% for AI and 79.2% for GD (hazard ratio 2.55, 95% confidence interval: 0.80-8.14, P = 0.78), exceeding the prespecified non-inferiority margin in the second interim analysis. The estimated 3-year progression-free survival was 79.1% for AI and 59.1% for GD. The most common Grade 3-4 adverse events in the preoperative period were neutropenia (88.4%), anaemia (49.3%), and febrile neutropenia (36.2%) for AI and neutropenia (79.5%) and febrile neutropenia (17.8%) for GD. CONCLUSIONS: Although GD had relatively mild toxicity, the regimen-as administered in this study-should not be considered a standard treatment of perioperative chemotherapy for high-risk STS in the extremities and trunk. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: jRCTs031180003.

Clinical Outcome of Patients with Pelvic and Retroperitoneal Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Retrospective Multicenter Study in Japan.

This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the clinical outcomes of patients with pelvic and retroperitoneal bone and soft tissue sarcoma (BSTS). Overall, 187 patients with BSTS in the pelvis and retroperitoneal region treated at 19 specialized sarcoma centers in Japan were included. The prognostic factors related to overall survival (OS), local control (LC), and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated. The 3-year OS and LC rates in the 187 patients were 71.7% and 79.1%, respectively. The 3-year PFS in 166 patients without any distant metastases at the time of primary tumor diagnosis was 48.6%. Osteosarcoma showed significantly worse OS and PFS than other sarcomas of the pelvis and retroperitoneum. In the univariate analyses, larger primary tumor size, soft tissue tumor, distant metastasis at the time of primary tumor diagnosis, P2 location, chemotherapy, and osteosarcoma were poor prognostic factors correlated with OS. Larger primary tumor size, higher age, soft tissue tumor, chemotherapy, and osteosarcoma were poor prognostic factors correlated with PFS in patients without any metastasis at the initial presentation. Larger primary tumor size was the only poor prognostic factor correlation with LC. This study has clarified the epidemiology and prognosis of patients with pelvic and retroperitoneal BSTS in Japan.

Imaging Findings of Calcaneal Cyst and Lipoma: Can Intraosseous Cyst Changes Into Lipoma With Advancing Age?

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have indicated that intraosseous lipomas originate from simple bone cysts of the calcaneus. This study evaluates computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of calcaneal cysts and lipomas in pediatric and adult populations. METHODS: Forty-six patients with bone lesions located in the anterior portion of the calcaneus beneath the talocalcaneal joint, who underwent CT and/or MRI, were enrolled in this study. The imaging characteristics were retrospectively reviewed and compared between the pediatric (aged 18 years or younger; n = 29) and adult (aged 19 years or older; n = 17) groups. RESULTS: On CT images, water/soft tissue attenuation alone was more frequent in the pediatric group than in the adult group (84% vs 13%, respectively; P < 0.01), whereas the combined water/soft tissue and fat attenuation (11% vs 47%, respectively; P < 0.05) and fat attenuation alone (5% vs 40%, respectively; P < 0.05) were less frequent in the pediatric group than in the adult group. On MRI, cystic components alone were more frequent in the pediatric group than in the adult group (88% vs 13%, respectively; P < 0.01), whereas the combined cystic and fat components (8% vs 38%, respectively; P < 0.05) and fat components alone (4% vs 50%, respectively; P < 0.01) were less frequent in the pediatric group than in the adult group. CONCLUSIONS: Calcaneal cysts were more frequent in the pediatric group, whereas calcaneal lipomas were more frequent in the adult group. These results could be additional evidence that intraosseous lipomas originate from simple bone cysts of the calcaneus.

A randomized phase III trial of denosumab before curettage for giant cell tumor of bone. JCOG1610.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of JCOG1610 (randomized controlled phase III trial) was to confirm the superiority of preoperative denosumab to curettage with adjuvant local therapy for patients with giant cell tumor of bone without possible post-operative large bone defect. METHODS: The primary endpoint was relapse-free survival and the total sample size was set at 106 patients. Patient accrual began in October 2017. However, the accrual was terminated in December 2020 due to a recommendation from the Data and Safety Monitoring Committee because of poor patient accrual. Now, we report the descriptive results obtained in this study. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients had been registered from 13 Japanese institutions at the time of termination on December 2020. Eleven patients were assigned to Arm A (curettage and adjuvant local therapy) and 7 to Arm B (preoperative denosumab, curettage and adjuvant local therapy). Median follow-up period was 1.6 (range: 0.5-2.8) years. Protocol treatment was completed in all but one patient in Arm A who had a pathological fracture before surgery. All patients in Arm B were treated with five courses of preoperative denosumab. Relapse-free survival proportions in Arm A and B were 90.0% (95% confidence interval: 47.3-98.5) and 100% (100-100) at 1 year, and 60.0% (19.0-85.5) and 62.5% (14.2-89.3) at 2 years, respectively [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.51 (0.24-9.41)]. CONCLUSION: In terms of relapse-free survival, the superiority of preoperative denosumab was not observed in patients with giant cell tumor of bone without possible post-operative large bone defect.

Clinical features and treatment outcomes of dedifferentiated and grade 3 chondrosarcoma: A multi-institutional study.

Chondrosarcoma is the second most common primary malignant bone tumor. In this multicenter study, we sought to evaluate the disease-specific survival (DSS) and disease-free survival (DFS), and prognostic factors in patients with dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma (DDCS) or grade 3 chondrosarcoma (G3CS) in Japan. We retrospectively investigated the treatment outcomes and prognostic factors in 62 patients with DDCS and 19 patients with G3CS at 15 institutions participating in the Japanese Musculoskeletal Oncology Group. We also clarified significant clinicopathological factors for oncological outcomes. In surgery for primary lesions aimed at cure, a histologically negative margin (R0) was obtained in 93% (14/15) of patients with G3CS and 100% (49/49) of patients with DDCS. The 5-year DSS was 18.5% in patients with DDCS and 41.7% in patients with G3CS (p = 0.13). Local control was obtained in 80% (12/15) and 79.6% (39/49) of patients with G3CS and DDCS in the primary lesion after surgery with a wide surgical margin, respectively. In multivariate analysis, stage and no treatment/palliative treatment for the primary lesion were independent prognostic factors for DSS of DDCS, and age and no treatment/palliative treatment for DSS of G3CS. The 5-year DFS rate was 22.8% in 26 patients with DDCS who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy, and 21.4% in 14 patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. The prognosis of DDCS remains poor, although R0 resection was carried out in most cases. Effective and/or intensive chemotherapeutic regimens or agents should be considered or developed for patients with high-grade chondrosarcoma, particularly for those with DDCS.

Current management of giant-cell tumor of bone in the denosumab era.

Giant-cell tumor of bone is a rare, locally aggressive and rarely metastasizing primary bone tumor. The mainstay of treatment remains controversial and is decided by the balance between adequate surgical margin and sufficient adjacent joint function. Although curettage with a high-speed burr and local adjuvants can maintain normal joint function, many reports have revealed a high local recurrence rate. Conversely, en bloc resection and reconstruction with prostheses for highly aggressive lesions have reportedly lower local recurrence rates and poorer functional outcomes. Denosumab-a full human monoclonal antibody that inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa ß ligand-was approved by the Food and Drug Authority in 2013 for use in surgically unresectable or when resection is likely to result in severe morbidity for skeletally mature adolescents and adults with giant-cell tumor of bone. However, subsequent studies have suggested that the local recurrence rate would be increased by preoperative use of denosumab. In systematic reviews of the local recurrence rate after preoperative use of denosumab, conclusions vary due to the small sample sizes of the studies reviewed. Therefore, controversy regarding the treatment of giant-cell tumor of bone is ongoing. Here, this review elucidates the management of giant-cell tumor of bone, especially with the local adjuvant and neoadjuvant use of denosumab, and presents the current, evidence-based treatment for giant-cell tumor of bone.