The utility of intraoperative marrow margin frozen section in extremity bone sarcoma resection.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Intraoperative frozen section analysis is commonly used to evaluate marrow margins during extremity bone sarcoma resections, but its efficacy in the era of magnetic resonance imaging is debated. This study aimed to compare the accuracy of intraoperative frozen section assessment with final pathology, assess its correlation with gross intraoperative margin assessment, and evaluate its impact on surgical decision making. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing extremity bone sarcoma resections from 2010 to 2022 at a single sarcoma center were included. Intraoperative frozen section and gross margin assessments were compared to final pathology using positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV). Changes in surgical decisions due to positive intraoperative margins were recorded. RESULTS: Of 166 intraoperative frozen section marrow margins, four were indeterminant/positive, with two false positive/indeterminant findings and two false negatives compared to final pathology. Gross intraoperative assessment had no false positives and two false negatives. Frozen section analysis yielded a PPV of 50% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 16%-84%) and NPV of 98.8% (95% CI: 97%-100%), while gross assessment had a PPV of 100% (95% CI: 16%-100%) and NPV of 98.8% (95% CI: 97%-100%). Positive frozen section margins led to additional resections in three of four cases. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative frozen section analysis did not offer added clinical value beyond gross margin assessment in extremity bone sarcoma resections. It exhibited a low PPV and led to unnecessary additional resections. Gross intraoperative assessment proved adequate for margin evaluation, potentially saving time and resources.

Prognostic factors and treatment outcomes in patients with pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare sarcoma in adults. The clinical characteristics, outcomes and prognostic factors associated with pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma remain unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from the Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor Registry of Japan, and enrolled patients with pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma. Disease-specific overall survival, local recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method; Cox regression model was used to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: In total, 182 patients with pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma were included. Median age was 63 (range 20-95) years. The lower extremity (48%) was the most frequent tumor origin site, while head and neck were rare (4%). A total of 43 patients (24%) had distant or regional nodal metastases at first presentation. In all cases, the 2-year and 5-year survival rates were 66.3% and 54.1%, respectively. Distant metastasis was a significant poor prognostic factor (Hazard ratio 6.65; 95% confidence intervals, 3.00-14.75, P < 0.0001), with median survival of such patients being 9.4 (95% confidence intervals: 5.3-12.2) months. In 134 localized cases, the 2-year and 5-year survival rates were 91.5% and 68.3%, respectively. Large tumor size and older age were associated with poorer prognosis. Through data from localized and locally curative cases extracted and adjusted by propensity score matching, we found that perioperative chemotherapy did not improve disease-specific overall survival, distant metastasis-free survival or local recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical characteristics and outcomes of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma are similar to those of other high-grade soft tissue sarcomas. Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma may be less chemosensitive, and a strategy other than the standard cytotoxic chemotherapy is required to improve its prognosis.

Extended curettage for tumour-induced osteomalacia in the bone.

BACKGROUND: extended curettage is generally used to treat infiltrative bone tumours. However, the extent of the curettage performed in previous studies remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of extended curettage for bone tumour-induced osteomalacia. METHODS: we included 12 patients with tumour-induced osteomalacia who underwent extended curettage at our hospital between 2000 and 2022. Extended curettage was applied in cases where tumour resection could cause functional impairment or necessitate complex reconstruction. We investigated patients' clinical and oncological outcomes. RESULTS: patients had a mean age of 55 (24-81) years, and the median follow-up duration after surgery was 3.9 (1.0-14.0) years. The causative tumours were located in the pelvis and lumbar spine. Imaging revealed the tumours to be of the sclerotic, intertrabecular, lytic and mixed types. Intraoperative 3D fluoroscopy was used in 10 patients. Extended curettage with high-speed burring and adjuvant therapy with cauterization using an electric scalpel and ethanol resulted in a remission rate of 83%; no recurrence or metastasis was observed in cases of early postoperative biochemical remission. In cases where the causative tumour was at the lumbar spine and ischium close to the acetabulum, no postoperative biochemical remission was observed, and conservative treatment was continued. Except for one patient with a tumour in the lumbar spine, all patients could walk without a cane. CONCLUSIONS: extended curettage for bone tumour-induced osteomalacia is oncologically and functionally favourable, especially in cases where resection of the causative tumour could cause functional impairment or necessitate complex reconstruction.

Embryonal and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in adolescents/young adults, adults and older adults: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The clinical characteristics, outcomes, and prognostic factors of adult embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas (ERMS) and alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas (ARMS), particularly the differences among adolescents/young adults (AYA), adults, and older adults, remain unclear. We assessed the clinicopathological features and survival outcomes of adult patients with ERMS and ARMS in Japan and to compare these features among AYA, adult, and older adult patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from the Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor Registry of Japan and enrolled patients aged ≥15 years with ERMS and ARMS. Disease-specific overall survival (DOS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and a Cox regression model was used to identify prognostic factors. RESULTS: Among 184 patients with ERMS and ARMS (median age, 27 years; interquartile range, 18-49 years), a high rate of distant and regional nodal metastases was initially observed in 65 (35%) and 66 (36%) cases, respectively. Older age and distant metastasis at first presentation were statistically poor prognostic factors, and histological subtype and site of tumor origin were not associated with DOS. In patients with localized ERMS and ARMS, older age and nodal metastasis were poor prognostic factors; the 5-year DOS rates of patients with and without nodal metastasis were 23% and 72%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients with rhabdomyosarcoma had a dismal prognosis, and distant metastasis was a poor prognostic factor. The prognostic factors differed between adult and pediatric patients with rhabdomyosarcoma; biological analyses, such as genome analysis of adult rhabdomyosarcoma and clinical trials with pediatric oncologists, are needed to improve the prognosis of adult rhabdomyosarcoma.

BRAF mutations and concurrent alterations in patients with soft tissue sarcoma.

BRAF alterations, including V600E and non-V600E mutations and fusions, in soft tissue sarcoma (STS) have been identified in a limited case series. Here, we aimed to evaluate the frequency of BRAF mutations and concurrent alterations in STS to understand their therapeutic action. In this retrospective analysis, we included data from 1964 patients with advanced STS who underwent comprehensive genomic profiling tests at hospitals in Japan between June 2019 and March 2023. The prevalence of BRAF and recurrent concurrent gene alterations were also investigated. BRAF mutations were detected in 24 (1.2%) of 1964 STS patients, with a median age of 47 (range 1-69) years. BRAF V600E was detected in 11 (0.6%) of the 1964 patients with STS, BRAF non-V600E mutations in 9 (4.6%), and BRAF fusions were detected in 4 (0.2%). BRAF V600E was identified in 4 (0.2%) cases of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. The most common concurrent alteration was CDKN2A (11 cases, 45.8%), and the frequency was equivalent to that of the BRAF V600E (5/11 cases, 45.5%) and non-V600E (5/9 cases, 55.6%) groups. Recurrent concurrent alterations, such as TERT promoter mutations (7 cases, 29.2%), were detected at the same frequency in the V600E and non-V600E groups. In contrast, TP53 alterations (4/9 cases, 44.4%) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-activating genes, including NF1, GNAQ, and GNA11 (3/9 cases, 33.3%), were identified as relatively higher in the non-V600E group than in the V600E group (each 1/11 case, 9.1%). We identified BRAF alterations at a rate of 1.2% in all patients with advanced STS. Among them, BRAF V600E and BRAF fusions account for 45.8% and 16.7%, respectively. Collectively, our findings support the clinical characteristics and therapeutic strategies for patients with BRAF-altered advanced STS.

Dramatic response to entrectinib in a patient with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor harboring novel SNRNP70-NTRK3 fusion gene.

Neurotropic tropomyosin receptor kinase (NTRK) gene rearrangements have been reported in limited cases of sarcomas; however, to date, there has been only one report of such rearrangements in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). Herein, we describe a 51-year-old male patient with a buttock tumor arising from the sciatic nerve, which was diagnosed as MPNST with positive S-100 staining, negative SOX10 staining, and loss of trimethylation at lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3) confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Soon after the resection of the primary tumor, the patient was found to have pulmonary and lymph node metastases. Chemotherapy with eribulin and trabectedin showed limited effects. However, the patient responded rapidly to pazopanib, but severe side effects caused discontinuation of the treatment. RNA panel testing revealed a novel fusion gene between Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein U1 Subunit 70 (SNRNP70) gene and NTRK3 gene. Furthermore, loss of NF1, SUZ12, and CDKN2A genes was confirmed by DNA panel testing, which is compatible with a histological diagnosis of MPNST. SNRNP70 possesses a coiled-coiled domain and seems to induce constitutive activation of NTRK3 through dimerization. In fact, immunohistochemistry revealed diffuse staining of pan-TRK within tumor cells. Treatment with entrectinib, which is an NTRK inhibitor, showed a quick and durable response for 10 months. Although NTRK rearrangements are very rare in MPNST, this case highlights the importance of genetic testing in MPNST, especially using an RNA panel for the detection of rare fusion genes.

Complications and Functional Outcome Differences in Carbon Ion Radiotherapy and Surgery for Malignant Bone Tumors of the Pelvis: A Multicenter, Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) is an evolving treatment option for malignant pelvic tumors in patients with poor surgical indications. However, the difference in complications and functional outcomes between CIRT and surgery is poorly understood. This study compares the complications and functional outcomes of CIRT and surgery to facilitate treatment selection. METHODS: A total of 28 patients who underwent CIRT for pelvic bone tumors while theoretically meeting the surgical resection criteria were included. Sixty-nine patients who underwent surgery for pelvic bone tumors were included as controls. Major complication rates and functional outcomes (ambulatory, pain, urination, constipation) were evaluated and compared at several time points (pretreatment, discharge, and final follow-up) between the groups. RESULTS: Early (within 90 days) major complications were not observed in the CIRT group but occurred in 30% of the surgery group, which was statistically significant (P < 0.001). In contrast, late (after 90 days) major complications occurred more often in the CIRT group than in the surgery group (18% and 4%, respectively; P = 0.042). From pretreatment until discharge, all functional outcomes in the surgery group deteriorated (P < 0.001 for all) but did not change in the CIRT group (P = 0.77-1.00). At the final follow-up, all functional outcomes showed no significant intergroup difference (P = 0.28-0.92) due to the recovery trend in the surgery group and the deterioration trend in the CIRT group. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with surgery, CIRT may have favorable safety and stable functional outcomes in the short-term but more late complications. Mid-term functional outcomes were similar between the groups.

Role of perioperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy for localized high-grade malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor at the extremities and trunk wall: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Primary tumor resection is the mainstay of treatment for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. However, the efficacy of perioperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors has not been elucidated. METHODS: This retrospective analysis based on a Japanese registry included patients with localized malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors arising at the extremities and trunk wall. Disease-specific overall survival and local recurrence-free survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. A Cox regression model was used to identify prognostic factors. Characteristics of groups with or without chemotherapy were adjusted using propensity score matching. RESULTS: In total, 291 patients were included. The 5-year disease-specific overall survival rate was 70.6%. Multivariate analysis of disease-specific overall survival revealed that deep-seated tumors were a poor prognostic factor, but perioperative chemotherapy was not associated with disease-specific overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.45-1.43, P = 0.46). Local recurrence was observed in 55 patients (19.0%), and surgical margins (R1 and R2) were significant risk factors. Overall, perioperative chemotherapy did not prolong disease-specific overall survival (5-year disease-specific overall survival: 74.1% vs. 69.3%, P = 0.75) and had limited efficacy in the group with tumor size ≥ 5 cm, although the difference was not statistically significant (5-year disease-specific overall survival: 77.2% vs. 68.6%, respectively, P = 0.13). After adjustment by propensity score matching, perioperative chemotherapy significantly prolonged disease-specific overall survival (5-year disease-specific overall survival: 74.9% vs. 57.1%, P = 0.03), but this effect was not observed in local recurrence-free survival. In all patients, perioperative radiotherapy did not correlate with local recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval 0.78-2.62, P = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative chemotherapy had limited efficacy for disease-specific overall survival in patients with localized malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors.

Hip Transposition Can Provide Early Walking Function After Periacetabular Tumor Resection: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction after periacetabular bone tumor resection involves important tradeoffs; large bone grafts or endoprostheses are reported to offer fair walking function in general but can be technically demanding and carry a high risk of severe complications. Conversely, hip transposition avoids implant-related risks, but stability and functional return may be less consistent. Fewer studies are available on hip transposition, which is also appealing in more resource-constrained environments, and little is known about the time course from surgery to functional return after hip transposition. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What is the time course of recovery of walking function after hip transposition, especially in the first 6 months? (2) What factors are associated with a greater likelihood of early functional recovery? (3) Is early (2-month) functional recovery associated with a greater likelihood of walking ability and higher Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scores? METHODS: Between 2009 and 2019, six tertiary care centers in Japan treated 48 patients with internal hemipelvectomy for malignant tumors. During that time, the preferred reconstructive approach was hip transposition, and 92% (44 of 48) of our patients were treated with this procedure. Among them, 86% (38 of 44) had follow-up of at least 6 months, had no local recurrence during that time, and were included in our retrospective study. We chose 6 months as the minimum follow-up duration because the endpoints in this study pertained to early recovery rather than reconstructive durability. Hip transposition involved moving the proximal end of the femur (femoral head, resection end of the trochanteric area, and spacers such as prostheses) upward to the underside of the resected ilium or the lateral side of the sacrum if sacroiliac joint resection was performed. The end of the proximal femur was stabilized to the remaining ilium or sacrum using polyethylene tape, polyethylene terephthalate mesh, an iliotibial tract graft, or an external fixator, according to the surgeon's preference. The median age at surgery was 46 years (range 9 to 76 years), there were 23 women and 15 men, and the median follow-up duration was 17 months (range 6 to 110 months). The postoperative time course of functional recovery was assessed with a record review, the timing of functional milestones was identified (wheelchair, walker, bilateral crutches, single crutch or cane, and walking without an aid), and the MSTS score at the final follow-up was assessed. Additionally, demographic and surgical factors were reviewed, and their association with short-term functional recovery and the final functional outcome was analyzed. RESULTS: Patients started using a walker at median postoperative day (POD) 20 (IQR 14 to 36) and with bilateral crutches at median POD 35 (IQR 20 to 57). At POD 60, which was the approximate median date of discharge, 76% (29 of 38) of patients were able to walk using bilateral crutches (the early recovery group) and 24% (nine of 38) of patients were not able to do so (the delayed recovery group). No baseline factors were different between the two groups. The early recovery group had a higher median MSTS score than the delayed recovery group: 57% (range 17% to 90%) versus 45% (13% to 57%) (p = 0.047). Moreover, more patients acquired better function (a single crutch or cane or more) in the early recovery group, with a median of 5 months (95% CI 4 to 11) than did those in the delayed recovery group (median not reached) (p = 0.0006). The HR was 15.2 (95% CI 2.5 to 93). Forty-two percent (16 of 38) underwent additional surgery for wound management. CONCLUSION: It took patients a fair amount of time to recover walking function after hip transposition, and patients who could not walk on bilateral crutches at POD 60 seemed less likely to regain walking function and were likely to have lower MSTS scores thereafter. Wound-related complications were frequent. This method may be a realistic alternative for younger patients who have the strength for a long rehabilitation period or those who want to minimize prosthesis-related complications. Future studies with more patients are necessary to understand the risk factors associated with delayed recovery.Level of Evidence Level III, therapeutic study.

Clinical characteristics of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone and the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on the affected patients: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical characteristics of undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone are not elucidated. Herein, we clarify its clinical features and analyze the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone. METHODS: Prognostic factors and estimated disease-specific survival in 247 patients with primary undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of bone were identified from a registry in Japan. The effect of adjuvant chemotherapy was evaluated in localized resectable cases, and the characteristics of the two groups treated with or without chemotherapy were adjusted using propensity score matching. RESULTS: The 5-year disease-specific survival rates were 47.4% in the entire cohort and 56.4 and 16.9% in the M0 and M1 groups, respectively. Multivariate disease-specific survival analysis revealed that metastasis on initial presentation and age ≥ 65 years were poor prognostic factors. Overall, 132 localized and resectable primary lesions were extracted. Adjuvant chemotherapy administration was a favorable prognostic factor (hazard ratio: 0.43, P = 0.04), and it significantly prolonged disease-specific survival compared with no adjuvant chemotherapy (5-year disease-specific survival: 78.8% vs. 51.8%, P = 0.008). Adjuvant chemotherapy prolonged disease-specific survival in patients with tumor size <8 cm (5-year disease-specific survival: 100% vs. 54.6%, P = 0.02); however, its efficacy decreased in those with tumor size ≥8 cm (5-year disease-specific survival: 68.7% vs. 42%, P = 0.09). After propensity score matching, adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly associated with good disease-specific survival (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Metastasis in the initial presentation was the poorest prognostic factor. On evaluating localized and resectable cases only, adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved disease-specific survival, although its effect decreased in cases with large tumors.

Comparison of clinical features and outcomes of patients with leiomyosarcoma of bone and soft tissue: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Leiomyosarcoma commonly occurs in soft tissue but rarely in the bone. Whether leiomyosarcoma of bone and soft tissue have similar clinical characteristics and outcomes remains unknown. METHODS: This retrospective analysis was based on data from the Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor Registry in Japan. Patients with leiomyosarcoma of bone and soft tissue were enrolled. Overall survival and distant metastasis-free survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the Cox regression model was used to identify the prognostic factors. RESULTS: A total of 888 patients (60 leiomyosarcoma of bone and 828 leiomyosarcoma of soft tissue) were included in the study. Clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups, except for younger age in leiomyosarcoma of bone than in leiomyosarcoma of soft tissue (median 56 years vs. 66 years, P < 0.0001). To evaluate the prognostic factors and efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy, data of localized and locally curative cases were extracted (total 572: 33 leiomyosarcoma of bone and 539 leiomyosarcoma of soft tissue). The 5-year overall survival rates of leiomyosarcoma of bone and soft tissue patients were similar (63.8% vs. 75.2%, P = 0.43); the 5-year distant metastasis-free survival tended to be worse in leiomyosarcoma of bone than in leiomyosarcoma of soft tissue (37.4% vs. 57.9%, P = 0.28). Larger tumor size (≥5 cm) and older age (≥65 years) correlated with poor overall survival in leiomyosarcoma of soft tissue patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy tended to prolong the overall survival of both leiomyosarcoma of bone (P = 0.11) and leiomyosarcoma of soft tissue patients with tumor size >10 cm (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical characteristics and outcomes of leiomyosarcoma of bone and soft tissue patients were similar. In localized cases, adjuvant chemotherapy may improve the survival of leiomyosarcoma of bone and soft tissue patients with large-size tumor.

Preoperative arterial embolization and wound complications after resection of malignant bone tumor in the pelvis: a nationwide database study.

BACKGROUND: Massive intraoperative blood loss is common in pelvic malignant bone tumor surgery, and preoperative arterial embolization may be used in selected cases. Preoperative arterial embolization reportedly increases wound complications in pelvic fracture surgery, but little evidence is available regarding pelvic bone tumor surgery. METHODS: Using a Japanese nationwide database (Diagnosis Procedure Combination database), we searched for patients who underwent pelvic malignant bone tumor surgery between July 2010 and March 2018. The primary endpoint was wound complications, defined as any wound requiring re-operation, negative pressure wound therapy or both. Univariate analyses (the chi-squared test for categorical variables, the unpaired t-test for continuous variables) and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between preoperative arterial embolization and wound complications. RESULTS: Among the 266 eligible patients, 43 (16%, 43/266) underwent embolization and 69 (26%, 69/266) developed wound complications. In the univariate analyses, preoperative arterial embolization (P < 0.001), duration of anesthesia (P < 0.001), the volume of blood transfusion (P < 0.001) and duration of indwelling drain tube (P < 0.001) were associated with wound complications. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, preoperative arterial embolization was significantly associated with wound complications (odds ratio, 3.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.80-8.56; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative arterial embolization may be associated with increased wound complications after pelvic malignant tumor surgery.

Role of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with localized, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of soft tissue: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Primary tumor resection is the mainstay of treatment for undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS); however, the necessity of adjuvant chemotherapy has been debated. We aimed to clarify the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on survival rates in patients with UPS with localized and resectable primary lesions. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included data of 2112 patients with localized UPS arising in the extremities and trunk, extracted from a registry in Japan. We estimated overall survival (OS), identified prognostic factors, and adjusted patient characteristics in the two groups treated with or without chemotherapy using propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: The 5-year OS rate was 79.4%. In multivariate OS analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy was a good prognostic factor (hazard ratio 0.65; 95% confidence interval 0.48-0.9, P = 0.009). Large tumor size was the poorest prognostic factor, and OS decreased with the tumor size (P < 0.0001). In all patients, adjuvant chemotherapy prolonged OS (5-year OS: 82.3% vs. 78.6%, P = 0.03). Adjuvant chemotherapy did not affect OS in patients with tumor size < 5 cm; the benefit was strong in patients with tumor size 10 to < 15 cm (5-year OS: 79.5% vs. 66.8%, P = 0.003). Adjuvant chemotherapy efficacy was not pronounced in patients with tumor size 5 to < 10 cm (5-year OS: 87% vs. 80%, P = 0.06) and ≥ 15 cm (5-year OS: 60.7% vs. 49.5%, P = 0.08). After PSM, adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly associated with improved OS (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with localized UPS, adjuvant chemotherapy tended to improve OS when tumors were ≥ 5 cm, especially when they were 10 to < 15 cm.

Systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) as a predictive factor for overall survival in advanced soft tissue sarcoma treated with eribulin.

BACKGROUND: Eribulin is a tubulin and microtubule-targeting drug that has clinical benefit in overall survival (OS) for patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma. Eribulin's efficacy has been confirmed in several clinical trials, although no clinically useful biomarkers have been identified. We therefore sought to clarify the predictive factor of eribulin treatment, while focusing on systemic inflammation and immune response values. METHODS: This study included 33 advanced STS patients treated with eribulin between March 2016 and September 2019. We evaluated the associations of clinical factors influencing the efficacy of eribulin treatment and systemic inflammatory and immune response, including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), and the prognostic nutrition index (PNI), with progression-free survival (PFS) and OS using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. RESULTS: NLR, LMR, PLR, SIRI, and PNI were unassociated with PFS. Compared with patients with SIRI <1.5, those with an SIRI ≥1.5 had a significantly shorter OS [median OS 15 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 8-not reached) vs. 7 months (95% CI 3-14), P = 0.04]. Moreover, the PFS tended to be shorter for patients with SIRI ≥1.5 who received chemotherapy after eribulin treatment than in those with SIRI >1.5 [median PFS 92.5 days (95% CI 27-204) vs. 133 days (95% CI 36-507), P = 0.08]. CONCLUSIONS: High SIRI values may predict poorer overall survival and the efficacy of subsequent drugs after eribulin treatment among patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma.

Surgical resection of the primary lesion for osteosarcoma patients with metastasis at initial diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 10-20% of osteosarcoma patients present with metastasis on diagnosis. Completely resecting the lesion is associated with better prognosis. However, evidence regarding optimal surgical strategies for patients with unresectable metastasis is limited. METHODS: This retrospective analysis was based on the Japanese Nationwide Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor registry. In total, 335 patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma with metastasis were included. Factors affecting overall survival were identified using multivariate analysis. Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the overall survival by the status of surgical intervention. Two hundred and four patients who did not undergo surgery for metastasis were divided into two groups, depending on whether they underwent surgery for the primary lesion. The background differences between these two groups were adjusted with propensity score matching, with 43 patients per group. The overall survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with a log-rank test. RESULTS: Factors positively impacting overall survival were age <40, female sex, extremity origin, surgery for the primary lesions, surgery for metastasis and radiotherapy without surgery. For patients with unresectable metastasis, after propensity score matching, the survival rate was higher in the group that underwent primary lesion surgery than the group without surgery. Their median survival was 19 (95% confidence interval: 11.7-26.3) and 11 months (95% confidence interval: 4.5-17.5) (P = 0.02), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection of the primary osteosarcoma lesion did not worsen prognosis, even in patients with unresectable metastasis. Further study is needed to identify which patient group will benefit from primary lesion resection.

Prognostic factors and impact of surgery in patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma at diagnosis: A population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 10% of the patients with soft tissue sarcoma show metastasis at initial diagnosis, and hence, poorer prognosis. However, the prognostic factors and whether definitive surgery for the primary lesion improves overall survival, especially when complete resection of metastasis is difficult, remain unclear. METHODS: This retrospective analysis was based on the Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor Registry in Japan. Patients with soft tissue sarcoma having metastasis at diagnosis were enrolled, excluding those with Ewing's sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and several other sarcomas with unique behavior and treatment strategies. Overall survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared among the common histologic subtypes. Multivariate analysis with the Cox regression model was used to identify the prognostic factors. RESULTS: In total, 1184 patients were included, with a median follow-up duration of 10 months (range: 1-83). The median overall survival was 21 months (95% confidence interval: 18.2-23.8). The multivariate analyses indicated that tumor size, grade and histologic subtypes significantly correlated with overall survival. Moreover, surgery for the primary lesion, in addition to surgery for metastases and chemotherapy, showed significant association with better survival. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic factors in patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma at diagnosis are generally similar to those in patients with localized disease. The overall survival in patients differed significantly according to histologic subtype. Surgical resection of primary lesions, especially those with a wide margin, may be an independent prognostic factor. Further studies are needed identify which subgroup of patients would benefit the most from primary lesion surgery.

Prognosis and surgical outcome of soft tissue sarcoma with malignant fungating wounds.

OBJECTIVE: Malignant fungating wounds are ulcerating tumors that infiltrate the overlying skin. Little evidence exists regarding the prognosis or treatment of malignant fungating wound in soft tissue sarcoma. This study aimed to reveal the prognosis and outcome of surgical treatment of malignant fungating wound in soft tissue sarcoma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 26 patients with malignant fungating wound in high-grade soft tissue sarcoma between 2005 and 2018. The patients' characteristics, treatments, surgical wound complications, local recurrences and prognoses were analyzed. Overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with that of the control cohort, consisting of 236 consecutive patients with non-malignant fungating wound high-grade soft tissue sarcoma treated during the same period. RESULTS: Among the 26 patients, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma was the most common subtype. Twenty-three patients, including 20 (87%) and 3 (13%), underwent limb-salvage surgery and amputation, respectively. Among the 20 patients who underwent limb-salvage surgery, 4 (20%) had surgical wound complications, which required additional surgical procedures. Excluding the patients who underwent palliative surgery, local recurrence occurred in 2 patients (11%). The 5-year overall survival rate for all high-grade malignant fungating wound and non-malignant fungating wound patients was 26.0 and 67.3% (P < 0.0001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Malignant fungating wounds in soft tissue sarcoma were significantly associated with a poor prognosis; however, the incidence of surgical complications and local recurrence after limb-salvage surgery was comparable to that of general soft tissue sarcoma cases. Limb-salvage surgery should be considered, if possible, to preserve the patient's quality of life because of the dismal prognosis of patients with malignant fungating wound in soft tissue sarcoma.

Surgical margin for phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors in soft tissues: An analysis of the radiological histopathological correlation.

BACKGROUND: Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors primarily cause tumor-induced osteomalacia, a rare paraneoplastic syndrome, and half occur in soft tissues. There are few reports about the surgical margins of these tumors. This study aimed to clarify the optimal surgical margin for phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors by analyzing radiological and histopathological features. METHODS: This study included eight cases, seven primary and one recurrent, of tumor-induced osteomalacia caused by soft-tissue phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors that were surgically treated between January 2000 and January 2019. We evaluated the radiological and histopathological features of all tumors and investigated the correlation of these features, the surgical margin, and recurrence of hypophosphatemia. RESULTS: The tumors were located in superficial (n = 5) and deep (n = 3) tissues. Six of the eight tumors had a clear boundary, but five had an irregular margin. Three tumors had a hypointense rim on T2-weighted images, indicating fibrous tumor encapsulation. Histopathological analysis revealed infiltrative growth in six of the eight tumors, which correlated with an irregular margin seen on imaging. Although there was no recurrence in patients treated with an intended wide margin >1 cm, one of the three patients treated with marginal tumor resection experienced a recurrence of hypophosphatemia, with histopathological analysis showing infiltration of subcutaneous fat. In contrast, two tumors with clear boundaries, regular margins, and fibrous capsule seen on imaging, had no infiltrative growth and were cured by marginal resection. In one recurrent case, tumor infiltration was observed in the previous surgical scar, which was not detected on preoperative imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Soft-tissue phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors with an irregular boundary seen on imaging tend to be infiltrative, especially into subcutaneous fat, and should be treated by at least a 1-cm wide margin resection. Tumors with a fibrous capsule with clear and regular margins are cured by marginal margin resection. These findings could inform surgeons' decisions regarding the resection of soft-tissue phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors.

Pretreatment serum C-reactive protein is a significant prognostic factor in patients with soft tissue metastases.

BACKGROUND: Soft tissue metastasis is rarer than bone metastasis. Patients with soft tissue metastasis generally have a dismal prognosis. The treatment for metastatic lesions is sometimes difficult, because the prognostic factors of patients with soft tissue metastasis remain unelucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to identify these prognostic factors. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with soft tissue metastasis were included in the study. We evaluated associations of overall survival with clinical parameters and inflammatory markers using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Twelve patients received surgery for soft tissue metastasis, while radiation therapy was performed in six cases. The median overall survival after the detection of soft tissue metastasis was 11 months. Univariate analysis revealed that detection of soft tissue metastasis after the multidisciplinary treatment (P = 0.01); solitary metastasis (P = 0.0003); and pretreatment C-reactive protein (CRP) level < 0.4 mg/dL (P < 0.0001), white blood cell count < 8500 × 103/µL (P = 0.0003), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio < 5 (P = 0.02) were significant good prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis revealed that a CRP value < 0.4 mg/dL (P = 0.07) and solitary metastasis (P = 0.09) were possible significant predictors of survival. Furthermore, in case of CRP levels <0.4 mg/dL and metastatic tumor resection, patients had a good prognosis; however, when the CRP levels increased to 0.4 mg/dL and above, patients had a poor prognosis, irrespective of tumor resection. CONCLUSIONS: CRP is potentially useful for determining the indication of radical metastasectomy in soft tissue metastasis.

Skeletal muscle measurements predict surgical wound complications but not overall survival in patients with soft tissue sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether sarcopenia influences treatment outcome in patients with soft tissue sarcoma. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the impact of sarcopenia on sarcoma treatment. METHODS: A total of 163 soft tissue sarcoma patients were included. Skeletal muscle measures were calculated using computed tomography images. Skeletal muscle area (SMA) and density (SMD) at the L3 level were extracted, and SMA was normalized by height as skeletal muscle index (SMI). The skeletal muscle gauge (SMG) was calculated by multiplying SMD × SMI. The relationship of skeletal muscle measures and clinical factors to wound complications and prognosis was evaluated, and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was used to develop classification models for risk groups of surgical wound complications. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients developed wound complications. In univariate analysis, age (P = 0.0022), tumour location of adductor compartment of the thigh (P = 0.0019), operating time (P = 0.010), blood loss (P = 0.030), SMD (P = 0.0004) and SMG (P = 0.0001) were significantly correlated with complications. In multivariate analysis, lower SMG was an independent risk factor (P = 0.031, OR = 3.27). CART analysis classified three risk groups of surgical wound complications by SMG, age, tumour location and operating time, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC) was 0.75. SMG was not associated with prognosis in univariate analysis (P = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: The SMG does not affect overall survival but predicts surgical wound complications.