Morbidity and functional status of patients with pelvic neurogenic tumors after wide excision.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that over the last 10 years our practice has evolved in the treatment of neurogenic tumors of the pelvis to include a multispecialty team of surgeons, a factor that might decrease morbidity and improve recurrence, survival, and function. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: Therefore, we (1) assessed the morbidity associated with surgical excision in patients with neurogenic tumors of the pelvis; (2) determined the function of these patients; and (3) determined the rates of local recurrence, metastasis, and overall survival with this new approach. METHODS: We reviewed the records of all 38 patients who had surgery for a pelvic plexus tumor between 1994 and 2005. Twenty one were male. The mean age of all patients was 38 years and median follow up was 2.1 years. Twelve patients had a malignant tumor. We recorded demographic data, postoperative complications, tumor-specific recurrence, and determined survival. RESULTS: Postoperative complications occurred in nine of the 38 patients (23%): hematoma (n = 3), wound infection or deep abscess (n = 3), and deep venous thrombosis (n = 3). Surgical complications occurred more frequently in patients with malignant disease. Patients with benign tumors had a mean MSTS score of 94%, while survivors of malignant disease had a mean of 57%. For malignant tumors, the 5-year rate of local recurrence was 40%, the estimated 5-year rate of metastasis was 67% and 5-year survival rate was 50%. CONCLUSION: Using a team approach, surgical excision provided high functional scores for patients with benign disease with a low rate of complications. In patients with malignant tumors, intentional wide resection is associated with higher morbidity but yields acceptable functional scores.

Functional outcomes and quality of life after tumor-related hemipelvectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hemipelvectomy is a life-changing treatment for pelvic malignancies. This study compared functional outcomes and quality of life of patients following internal or external hemipelvectomies. SUBJECTS: Ninety-seven patients who underwent tumor-related internal (n=39) or external (n=58) hemipelvectomy surgery between January 1, 1988, and December 31, 2004, participated in the study. METHODS: Using a descriptive retrospective cohort study design, functional status was evaluated with the Barthel Index at 3 time points. Quality-of-life parameters were evaluated at follow-up using the Linear Analog Self-Assessment tool (LASA). RESULTS: Data were collected on all 97 patients at rehabilitation consultation and hospital discharge. Follow-up data were obtained via survey on 44% of the original group at a median of 5.8 years (interquartile range [IRQ]=1.7-10.4) after surgery. Median total Barthel Index scores were similar between the internal and external hemipelvectomy groups at the initial physical medicine and rehabilitation assessment (10 [IQR=10-15] versus 10 [IQR=3.75-15]), at discharge (40 [IQR=30-65] versus 50 [IQR=35-66.25]), and at follow-up (92.5 [IQR=76.25-100] versus 92.5 [IQR=78.75-96.25]). Participants with external hemipelvectomies were less independent in bladder function and experienced greater pain severity at follow-up compared with those with internal hemipelvectomies. Overall quality-of-life parameters were similar between the groups. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Despite significant differences in surgical procedures, immediate and long-term functional outcomes and quality-of-life parameters were similar among participants with internal and external hemipelvectomies.