Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic biomarker in extremities undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in peripheral blood reflects the balance between systemic inflammation and immunity and has been reported as a prognostic biomarker in many neoplastic diseases, but its role in sarcomas has been poorly investigated. In this paper we analyzed the prognostic role of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in extremity undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (eUPS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed an observational, retrospective study including all eUPS cases treated at the National Institute of Cancer in Mexico City from January 2000 to December 2018. We used a ROC analysis to find the cut-off point where the NLR had the best value in predicting death (area under the curve: 0.73, P = 0.001). When the cut-off point was set at 3.09, the sensitivity of the test was 79% and the specificity was 59%. Demographic and clinical variables using log-rank test were also analyzed. Univariate Cox regression analyses and multivariate proportional hazards regression model were carried out to identify independent prognostic factors for Overall survival (OS), Disease-free survival (DFS), Metastasis free survival (MFS) and their association with the NLR. RESULTS: We included 112 cases, 53.6% were women. Most cases were stage IIIA (33.9%) or IIIB (30.4%) and Grade 3 (91.1%). High NLR correlated with metastatic disease at presentation (p = 0.001), locally advanced stage (p = 0.05), worse OS (HR = 1.33, 95% CI:1.01-1.75 p = 0.041) and higher risk of specific death (HR = 4.89, 95% CI: 1.88-12.72 p = 0.001). Non-use of chemotherapy (HR: 1.33, 95% CI:1.01-1.75 p = 0.041) was also associated with worse OS. CONCLUSION: The NLR is a simple yet useful prognostic factor in patients with eUPS when using a cut-off value of 3.09. Soft tissue sarcomas lack routine biomarkers that are applied widely, therefore we propose to consider and include the NLR in prospective trials or prognostic nomograms.

Bone invasion in soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities: An underappreciated prognostic factor. Bone invasion in soft tissue sarcomas.

BACKGROUND: Bone invasion is unfrequently reported in soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities (eSTS), it is difficult to assess preoperatively and its prognostic impact has not been extensively studied. The objective of this paper was to analyze the incidence and the clinical impact of histologically proven bone invasion in individuals with eSTS. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using the medical files patients who had eSTS and were treated between 2012 and 2016. A 5 years survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and a Cox proportional risk assessment. The outcomes of patients with and without bone invasion were compared. RESULTS: 370 patients were included in the analysis. The median follow up was 25 months, the median age was 45 years (IQR 31-58). Bone invasion was found in 41 (11.08%). Median tumor size was 11.8 cm. The majority of individuals were diagnosed at stage IV (n = 116, 31.4%), followed by stage IIIB (n = 87, 23.5%). High histological grade was associated with worse OS (HR 2.23, CI 95% 1.36-3.65, p = 0.001). Absence of bone invasion was associated with better prognosis (HR 0.541, CI 95% 0.34-0.86, p = 0.009). OS was 27.3 vs 49.28 months. The disease-free survival (DFS) was 25.1 in bone invasion vs 45.23 without bone invasion. CONCLUSION: Bone invasion in individuals with eSTS is an independent adverse prognostic factor associated with lower OS and DFS; although infrequently reported, bone invasion might be considered as part of the staging in the future.

Epidemiological profile of soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities: Incidence, histological subtypes, and primary sites.

BACKGROUND: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a heterogeneous group of rare tumours that represent less than 1% of all malignant, solid tumours in adults. There is limited epidemiological information regarding STS in Latin America. Therefore, the objective of this study is to present an epidemiological profile of these tumours observed at a single reference centre. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out based on hospital records obtained from a registry of 879 patients with STS of the extremities who were treated at the National Cancer Institute of Mexico from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 2017. Epidemiological variables and relevant clinical data were collected. Five-year survival rates were analysed using Kaplan-Meier estimates, and a multivariate Cox proportional-hazards model measured associations. RESULTS: A total of 879 records were collected. The median age was 45 years (15-95 years), and the ratio of men to women was 1:1, with 433 men (49.3%), and 446 women (50.7%). The median tumour size was 11.4 cm (2-49 cm). The most prevalent histological variants were liposarcomas and synovial sarcomas. The lower limb was the most frequently affected extremity, with the thigh being the most common site followed by the leg. A majority of the patients were diagnosed at clinical stages IIIA-IV. CONCLUSIONS: The data collected from the present cohort provides an overview of the epidemiological profile of STS at a single reference centre in Latin America, and allow comparison with global data.

Should metastatic lymph nodes be considered at the same clinical stage as distant metastasis in soft tissue sarcomas?

INTRODUCTION: Lymph node metastasis (LNM) in soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are uncommon, occurring in only 3% - 5% of all sarcomas, and are classified as Stage IV, along with distant metastasis (DM). This paper compares the prognosis of patients with lymphatic and DM, in extremity STS (eSTS). METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out in a high-volume sarcoma center; 853 patients with eSTS sarcomas were identified and classified from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2017. Cases with pathological confirmation of LNM were included. Five-year survival rates were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: LNM was present in 46 of the cases (5.4%), with an overall survival of 21 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.7 - 25.2), compared to 18 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.2 - 21.7) in those with only DM. Median recurrence-free survival was 21 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.7 - 22.4), vs. 20 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.2- 23.7), respectively. LNM only and DM only had also a similar OS of 21 months (95% CI 16.7-25.2) vs 18 months (95% CI 14.2-21.7. N1M1 cases had the worse median OS with 15 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.9-19.7) CONCLUSIONS: Overall survival and recurrence free survival in patients with lymph node disease and metastatic disease are similar. However prognosis is worse in N1M1. Use of systemic treatment in patients with LNM is not as common as in metastatic cases, this difference in treatment and the fact that prognosis is similar suggests that both biological behavior and effect of treatment have been underestimated. A subclassification of clinical stage IV might be the next step.

Carcinoma de células acinares de glándula lacrimal metastásico en columna torácica. Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Acinar cell carcinoma of lacrimal gland metastatic a thoracic spine. Case report and literature review

Resumen El carcinoma de células acinares es una neoplasia poco frecuente que se presenta principalmente en las glándulas salivales. Presentamos el caso de un paciente femenino de 48 años con dolor, paresia palpebral derecha y aumento de volumen. Biopsia que confirma diagnóstico, manejada con exenteración orbitaria derecha más RT. Durante seguimiento seis años después se presenta dolor columna dorsal, RMN con lesión osteoblástica en T2 biopsia con metástasis de carcinoma de células acinares. Debido a su baja incidencia el comportamiento del carcinoma de células acinares de la glán dula lacrimal es incierto, no hay reportes en la literatura de lesiones metastásicas únicas en columna.

Abstract Acinar cell carcinoma is a rare neoplasm occurs primarily in the salivary glands. We report the case of a female patient of 48 years with pain, right palpebral paresis, and increased volume. Biopsy confirmed diagnosis, handled right exenteration more RT. During follow-up six years after dorsal spine pain, MRI with T2 lesion biopsy osteoblastic metastatic carcinoma of acinar cells. Because of its low incidence behavior acinar cell carcinoma of the lacrimal gland is uncertain, there are no reports in the literature of metastatic lesions unique column.