Impact of Surveillance Imaging in Detecting Local and Metastatic Lung Recurrences Among Patients with Sarcomas of the Extremities: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The surveillance guidelines following treatment completion for patients with high-grade sarcomas of the extremities are based largely upon expert opinions and consensus. In the current meta-analysis, we aim to study the utility of surveillance imaging to diagnose local and metastatic pulmonary relapses among patients with extremity soft tissue sarcomas and primary bone sarcomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed to assess the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of surveillance imaging to diagnose local and metastatic pulmonary relapse among patients with sarcoma of the extremities. In addition, impact of surveillance imaging on overall survival was assessed. Heterogeneity among eligible studies was evaluated by I2 statistics. Sensitivity analysis was assessed using influence plots and Baujat plots. RESULTS: Ten studies including 2160 patients with sarcoma were found eligible. For diagnoses of local recurrence based on surveillance imaging (nine studies, 1917 patients), the estimated sensitivity, specificity, and DOR were 13.6%, 99.5%, and 78.15, respectively. Only 16.7% of local recurrences were diagnosed based on imaging. For diagnoses of metastatic pulmonary recurrence (eight studies; 1868 patients), estimated sensitivity, specificity, and DOR were 76.1%, 99.3%, and 1059.9, respectively. A sensitivity analysis showed significant heterogeneity among included studies. None of the included studies showed an overall-survival benefit with the use of surveillance imaging. CONCLUSION: The current meta-analysis challenges the notion of routine use of imaging to detect local relapse, while favoring chest imaging, using either chest radiography or computed tomography scan, for surveillance. Further studies are required to study the ideal surveillance strategy including timing and imaging modality.