Influence of nutritional status and body composition on postoperative events and outcome in patients treated for primary localized retroperitoneal sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS) are rare tumours of mesenchymal origin, commonly presented as a large tumour mass at time of diagnosis. We investigated the impact of body composition on outcome in patients operated on for primary localized RPS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed data for all patients operated on for primary RPS at our institution between 1999 and 2020. Preoperative skeletal muscle area (SMA), visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue area (VAT and SAT) and muscle radiation attenuation (MRA) were calculated using computed tomography scans at the level of third lumbar vertebra. European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) criteria were applied to define myopenia. Using maximum log-rank statistic method we determined the optimal cut-off values of body composition parameters. Myosteatosis was defined based on determined MRA cut-offs. RESULTS: In total 58 patient were eligible for the study. With a median follow-up of 116 months, the estimated 5-year overall survival (OS) and local-recurrence free survival (LRFS) were 66.8% and 77.6%, respectively. Patients with myopenia had significantly lower 5-year OS compared to non-myopenic (p = 0.009). Skeletal muscle index and subcutaneous adipose tissue index predicted LRFS on univariate analysis (p = 0.052 and p = 0.039, respectively). In multivariate analysis high visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue area ratio (VSR) independently predicted higher postoperative complication rate (89.2% vs. 10.8%, p = 0.008). Myosteatosis was associated with higher postoperative morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Myopenia affected survival, but not postoperative outcome in RPS. Visceral obesity, VSR (> 0.26) and myosteatosis were associated with higher postoperative morbidity. VSR was better prognostic factor than VAT in RPS.

Morbidity and Outcomes After Distal Pancreatectomy for Primary Retroperitoneal Sarcoma: An Analysis by the Trans-Atlantic Australasian Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group.

BACKGROUND: Multi-visceral resection often is used in the treatment of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS). The morbidity after distal pancreatectomy for primary pancreatic cancer is well-documented, but the outcomes after distal pancreatectomy for primary RPS are not. This study aimed to evaluate morbidity and oncologic outcomes after distal pancreatectomy for primary RPS. METHODS: In this study, 26 sarcoma centers that are members of the Trans-Atlantic Australasian Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group (TARPSWG) retrospectively identified consecutive patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy for primary RPS from 2008 to 2017. The outcomes measured were 90-day severe complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3), postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) rate, and oncologic outcomes. RESULTS: Between 2008 and 2017, 280 patients underwent distal pancreatectomy for primary RPS. The median tumor size was 25 cm, and the median number of organs resected, including the pancreas, was three. In 96% of the operations, R0/R1 resection was achieved. The 90-day severe complication rate was 40 %. The grades B and C POPF complication rates were respectively 19% and 5% and not associated with worse overall survival. Administration of preoperative radiation and factors to mitigate POPF did not have an impact on the risk for the development of a POPF. The RPS invaded the pancreas in 38% of the patients, and local recurrence was doubled for the patients who had a microscopic, positive pancreas margin (hazard ratio, 2.0; p = 0.042). CONCLUSION: Distal pancreatectomy for primary RPS has acceptable morbidity and oncologic outcomes and is a reasonable approach to facilitate complete tumor resection.

Treatment of cranial cruciate ligament injuries in dogs using a combination of tibial tuberosity advancement procedure and autologous mesenchymal stem cells/multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells - A pilot study.

In the present pilot study, we evaluated different supplemental therapies using autologous multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MMSCs) for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament defects in dogs. We used tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) and augmented it by supportive therapy with MMSCs in three patient groups. In the first patient group, the dogs were injected with MMSCs directly into the treated stifle one month after surgery. In the second group, MMSCs were delivered in a silk fibroin scaffold which was placed in the osteotomy gap during surgery. In the third group, MMSCs were first mixed with bone tissue and blood from the patient and delivered into the osteotomy gap during surgery. In the control group, patients underwent the TTA procedure but did not receive MMSC treatment. In the group of patients who received cells in the silk fibroin scaffold during surgery, the osteotomy gap did not heal, presumably due to the low absorption of silk fibroin. Patients who received MMSCs mixed with bone tissue and blood during surgery into the osteotomy gap recovered clinically faster and had better healing of the osteotomy gap than dogs from the other two treated groups and from the control group, as assessed by clinical examination and quantification of radiographs. In conclusion, dogs that received stem cells directly into the osteotomy gap (Group 3) recovered faster compared to dogs from Groups 1 (MMSCs injected into the joint one month after surgery), 2 (cells implanted into the osteotomy gap in a silk fibroin scaffold), and the control group that did not receive additional MMSCs treatment.

Primary mesenteric sarcomas: Collaborative experience from the Trans-Atlantic Australasian Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group (TARPSWG).

BACKGROUND: Primary mesenteric soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare and limited evidence is available to inform management. Surgical resection is challenging due to the proximity of vital structures and a need to preserve enteric function. OBJECTIVES: To determine the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) for patients undergoing primary resection for mesenteric STS. METHODS: The Trans-Atlantic Australasian Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group (TARPSWG) is an intercontinental collaborative comprising specialist sarcoma centers. Data were collected retrospectively for all patients with mesenteric STS undergoing primary resection between 2000 and 2019. RESULTS: Fifty-six cases from 15 institutions were included. The spectrum of pathology was similar to the retroperitoneum, although of a higher grade. R0/R1 resection was achieved in 87%. Median OS was 56 months. OS was significantly shorter in higher-grade tumors (p = .018) and extensive resection (p < .001). No significant association between OS and resection margin or tumor size was detected. Rates of local recurrence (LR) and distant metastases (DM) at 5 years were 60% and 41%, respectively. Liver metastases were common (60%), reflecting portal drainage of the mesentery. CONCLUSION: Primary mesenteric sarcoma is rare, with a modest survival rate. LR and DM are frequent events. Liver metastases are common, highlighting the need for surveillance imaging.

Primary localized retroperitoneal sarcomas: report from Slovenian sarcoma referral center.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoma patients should be treated in high volume referral sarcoma centers. Compartmental resection is proposed as the best treatment option in retroperitoneal sarcoma patients. METHODS: Institute of Oncology Ljubljana is the only referral sarcoma center in Slovenia. Having a population of 2.1 million poses a unique situation. We manage all sarcoma patients in the country and operate on patients with soft tissue tumors of extremities, trunk, and abdomen. Data for all consecutive patients surgically treated from January 1999 to December 2018 for primary localized retroperitoneal sarcoma was extracted from a prospective surgical database. Data about the incidence of sarcoma patients in Slovenia was extracted from the Cancer Registry of Republic of Slovenia. Clinicopathologic variables and the outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 89 patients were included in the study. Median age was 62 years. Dedifferentiated liposarcoma was the most common histology (38.2%). Median tumor size was 21 cm. Compartmental resection was performed in 47.2% (42/89). Postoperative complication grade 3a or higher according to Clavien-Dindo classification had 30.3% (27/89) of patients. The 30-day and 90-day mortality rate was 2.2% and 5.6%. Median follow-up was 62.1 months. Corresponding 5-year overall survival was 67.2%, 5-year disease-specific survival was 72.6%, and 5-year local recurrence-free survival was 81.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Results from our institution show that referral sarcoma centers may achieve very good results in management of retroperitoneal sarcoma patients, despite not meeting the criteria for high volume hospitals, as long as they have multidisciplinary team, appropriate facilities, and expertise.

Leiomyosarcoma of the renal vein: analysis of outcome and prognostic factors in the world case series of 67 patients.

BACKGROUND: Leiomyosarcoma is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumour. Some cases of leiomyosarcoma of the renal vein (LRV) have been reported in the literature, but no analysis of data and search for prognostic factors have been done so far. The aim of this review was to describe the LRV, to analyse overall survival (OS), local recurrence free survival (LRFS) and distant metastases free survival (DMFS) in LRV world case series and to identify significant predictors of OS, LRFS and DMFS. METHODS: Cases from the literature based on PubMed search and a case from our institution were included. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients with a mean age of 56.6 years were identified; 76.1% were women. Mean tumour size was 8.9 cm; in 68.7% located on the left side. Tumour thrombus extended into the inferior vena cava lumen in 13.4%. All patients but one underwent surgery (98.5%). After a median follow up of 24 months, the OS was 79.5%. LRFS was 83.5% after a median follow up of 21.5 months and DMFS was 76.1% after a median follow up of 22 months. Factors predictive of OS in univariate analysis were surgical margins, while factors predictive of LRFS were inferior vena cava luminal extension and grade. No factors predictive of DMFS were identified. In multivariate analysis none of the factors were predictive of OS, LRFS and DMFS. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the literature review and presented case some conclusions can be made. LRV is usually located in the hilum of the kidney. It should be considered in differential diagnosis of renal and retroperitoneal masses, particularly in women over the age 40, on the left side and in the absence of haematuria. Core needle biopsy should be performed. Patients should be managed by sarcoma multidisciplinary team. LRV should be surgically removed, with negative margins.