Skip to main content
Log in

Compartmental resection for subfascial extremity soft tissue sarcoma and quality of life in long-term survivors

Kompartmentresektion des subfaszialen Extremitäten-Weichteilsarkoms und Lebensqualität bei Langzeit-Überlebenden

  • Original article
  • Published:
Wiener klinische Wochenschrift Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Zusammenfassung

HINTERGRUND: Die chirurgische Behandlung von Weichteilsarkomen hat sich in den letzten Jahren stark verändert. Heute werden Patienten interdisziplinär multimodal behandelt. Bei großen Extremitätensarkomen wird oftmals eine Kompartmentresektion durchgeführt, auch wenn der onkologische Benefit letztlich noch nicht eindeutig bestätigt werden konnte. Ein Argument dafür sind die immer wieder nachgewiesenen Satellitenmetastasen im Kompartment. Hinzu kommt, dass der Versuch der Extremitätenerhaltung (im Vergleich zur primären Amputation) heute Therapieziel der Wahl ist. Letztlich liegen hier aber nur wenige Untersuchungen über den onkologischen Langzeitverlauf vor. Untersuchungen über die Lebensqualität sind fast nicht vorhanden. PATIENTEN UND METHODIK: 464 Patienten mit einem Weichteilsarkom (STS) einer Extremität wurden prospektiv gesammelt und retrospektiv ausgewertet. Eine Kompartmentresektion bei einem subfaszialen Tumor wurde bei 82 Patienten durchgeführt. Die Histologie und das Tumorstadium wurden erfasst, ebenso die klinischen Daten (Rezidiv, Überleben) und eine mögliche adjuvante Therapie. Die postoperative Lebensqualität wurde mit Hilfe des EORTC QLQ-C30 Fragebogens (www.eortc.be/home/qol) ausgewertet. ERGEBNISSE: In unserer Erhebung waren 52 % der STS schlecht, 32 % mäßig und 16 % gut differenziert. Das Gesamtüberleben war signifikant abhängig von Tumorgrad und der Tumorbiologie, nicht aber auf die Tumorgröße. Die Gesamtüberlebensrate betrug 81,5 %, 71,9 % und 58,3 % nach 2, 3 und 5 Jahre. Leiomyosarkome (39 %) und maligne fibröse Histiozytome (42 %) hatten eine schlechtere 5-Jahres-Überlebensrate im Vergleich zu Liposarkome (82 %). Metastasen wurden in 33 % der T1 und in 43 % bei T2 Tumoren gefunden. Bei G3-Tumoren entwickelten im weiteren Verlauf 51 % der Patienten Metastasen, während die bei G2-Tumoren 52 % und bei G1-Tumoren 23 % der Fall war. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNG: Die Lebensqualität war bei allen unseren Sarkompatienten im Vergleich zur Normalbevölkerung reduziert, aber überwiegend noch in einem recht hohen Bereich. Auch wenn Vergleiche zu einer Patientengruppe mit primärer Amputation oder mit weiter Resektion hier nicht angestellt werden konnten, verringerte die Kompartment-Resektion das Risiko eines lokalen Rezidivs und war vergleichbar mit der historischen Rezidivrate nach einer weiten Resektion oder Amputation in der Literatur.

Summary

The surgical management of soft tissue sarcoma has changed over the past years, resulting in an interdisciplinary multimodal approach and limb-preserving treatment modalities. From 464 consecutive patients with a soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of an extremity, a compartmental resection was performed in 82 patients, usually for primary subfascial large tumors. Postoperative quality of life was evaluated using the EORTC Score C30. In our study population, 52% of STS was poorly differentiated, 32% moderately, and 16% well differentiated. Survival proved to be dependent on tumor grade and tumor biology, but not on tumor size. The overall survival rate was 81.5%, 71.9%, and 58.3% after 2, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Leiomyosarcoma (39%) and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (42%) are associated with poor 5-year survival rate compared to liposarcoma (82%). Metastases were observed in 33% of T1 and 43% of T2 tumors corresponding to 51% with G3 tumors, 52% with G2 and 23% with G1 tumors. We found a decreased quality of life score in our patients in all dimensions compared to a normal population. Despite the elevated risk of a functional deficit, compartmental resection reduces the risk of local recurrence comparable to the recurrence rates after the most radical surgery limb amputation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  • Junginger T, et al. Therapeutic strategies in malignant soft tissue tumors. Results of the soft tissue tumor register study of the Surgical oncology working group. Chirurg 2001;72(2):138–48

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berlin O, et al. Surgery for soft tissue sarcoma in the extremities. A multivariate analysis of the 6–26-year prognosis in 137 patients. Acta Orthop Scand 1990;61(6):475–86

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Collin C, et al. Localized extremity soft tissue sarcoma: an analysis of factors affecting survival. J Clin Oncol 1987;601–12

  • Fong Y, et al. Lymph node metastasis from soft tissue sarcoma in adults. An analysis of data from a prospective database of 1772 sarcoma patients. Ann Surg 1993;217(1):72–7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gortzak E, van Coevorden F. Soft tissue sarcoma- messages from completed randomized trials. Eur J Surg Oncol 1995;21(5):469–71

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lindberg R, et al. Conservative surgery and postoperative radiotherapy in 300 adults with soft-tissue sarcomas. Cancer 1981;47(10):2391–7

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saddegh M, et al. Staging of soft-tissue sarcomas. Prognostic analysis of clinical and pathological features. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1992;74(4):495–500

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan E, Meier P. Nonparametric estimation from incomplete observations. J Am Stat Assoc 1958;53:457–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker S, Duncan D. Estimation of the probability of an event as a function of several independant variables. Biometrika 1967;54:167–79

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mantel N. Evaluation of survival data and two new rank order statistics arising in its consideration. Cancer Chemother Rep 1966;50:163–70

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cox D. Regression models and life-tabels (with discussion). J R Stat Soc (B) 1972;34:187–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Bergman B, et al. The EORTC QLQ-LC13: a modular supplement to the EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) for use in lung cancer clinical trials. EORTC Study Group on Quality of Life. Eur J Cancer 1994; 30A(5):635–42

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Collin C, et al. Localized, operable soft tissue sarcoma of the lower extremity. Arch Surg 1986;121(12):1425–33

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Geer R. et al. Management of small soft-tissue sarcoma of the extremity in adults. Arch Surg 1992;127(11):1285–9

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Herbert S, et al. Limb-preserving treatment for soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities. The significance of surgical margins. Cancer 1993;72(4):1230–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karakousis C, Driscoll D. Treatment and local control of primary extremity soft tissue sarcomas. J Surg Oncol 1999;71(3):155–61

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keus R, et al. Limb-sparing therapy of extremity soft tissue sarcomas: treatment outcome and long-term functional results. Eur J Cancer 1994;30A(10):1459–63

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pitcher M, Thomas J. Functional compartmental resection for soft tissue sarcomas. Eur J Surg Oncol 1994;20(4):441–5

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Potter D. et al. High-grade soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities. Cancer, 1986;58(1):190–205

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shiu M, et al. Surgical treatment of 297 soft tissue sarcomas of the lower extremity. Ann Surg 1975;182(5):597–602

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shiu M, et al. Limb preservation and tumor control in the treatment of popliteal and antecubital soft tissue sarcomas. Cancer 1986;57(8):1632–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lawrence WJ, et al. Adult soft tissue sarcomas. A pattern of care survey of the American College of Surgeons. Ann Surg 1987;205(4):349–59

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tanabe K, et al. Influence of surgical margins on outcome in patients with preoperatively irradiated extremity soft tissue sarcomas. Cancer 1994;73(6):1652–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karakousis C, Kontzoglou K, and Driscoll D, Anterior compartment resection of the thigh in soft-tissue sarcomas. Eur J Surg Oncol 1998;24(4):308–12

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stotter A, et al. Role of compartmental resection for soft tissue sarcoma of the limb and girdle. Br J Surg 1990;77(1):88–92

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Enneking W, Spanier S, Goodman M. A system for the surgical staging of musculoskeletal sarcoma. Clin Orthop 1980;153:106–20

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Markhede G, Angervall L, Stener B. A multivariate analysis of the prognosis after surgical treatment of malignant soft tissue tumors. Cancer 1982;49:1721–33

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bowden L, Booher R. The principles and technique of resection of soft parts for sarcoma. Surgery 1958;44:963

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zornig C, et al. Compartment resection as therapy of choice in subfascial soft tissue sarcoma exemplified by the thigh. Chirurg 1992;63(7):581–6

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Steinau H, et al. Resection method and functional restoration in soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities. Chirurg 2001;72(5):501–13

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karakousis C. Modified anterior compartment resection. J Surg Oncol 1991;46(1):25–30

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mutschler W. Prinzipien des chirurgischen Vorgehens bei Weichteilsarkomen. In: Schlag P, Winler K, editors. Weichteilsarkome. Heidelberg: Springer; 1992. pp. 15–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Peiper M, Zurakowski D, Zornig C. Local recurrence of soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities and trunk. Langenbecks Arch Chir 1995;380(6):333–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rydholm A, et al. Limb-sparing surgery without radiotherapy based on anatomic location of soft tissue sarcoma. J Clin Oncol 1991;9(10):1757–65

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zornig C, Peiper M, Schroder S. Re-excision of soft tissue sarcoma after inadequate initial operation. Br J Surg 1995;82(2):278–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leibel S, et al. Soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities: survival and patterns of failure with conservative surgery and postoperative irradiation compared to surgery alone. Cancer 1982;50(6):1976–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okunieff P, Suit H, Proppe K. Extremity preservation by combined modality treatment of sarcomas of the hand and wrist. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1986;12(11):1923–9

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg S, Tepper J, Glatstein E. The treatment of soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremities: prospective randomized evaluations of (1) limb-sparing surgery plus radiation therapy compared with amputation and (2) the role of adjuvant chemotherapy. Ann Surg 1982;196:305–15

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fine G, Ohorodnik J, Horn R. Jr Proceedings: Soft-tissue sarcomas: their clinical behavior and course and influencing factors. Proc Natl Cancer Conf 1972;7:873–82

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg S, Glatstein E. Perspectives on the role of surgery and radiation therapy in the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities. Semin Oncol 1981;8(2):190–200

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simon M, Enneking W. The management of soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremities. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1976;58(3):317–27

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Peabody T, et al. A comparison of the prognoses for deep and subcutaneous sarcomas of the extremities. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1994;76(8):1167–73

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singer S, et al. Prognostic factors predictive of survival and local recurrence for extremity soft tissue sarcoma. Ann Surg 1994;219(2):165–73

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Willard W, et al. The changing role of amputation for soft tissue sarcomas of the extremity in adults. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1992;175:389–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Suit H, et al. Treatment of the patient with stage M0 soft tissue sarcoma. J Clin Oncol 1988;6(5):854–62

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aaronson N, et al. The European Organization for research and treatment of cancer QLQ-C30: a quality-of-life instrument for use in international clinical trials in oncology. J Nat Cancer Inst 1993;85(5):365–76

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Young T, et al. (eds.) On behalf of the EORTC Quality of Life Group. 3 ed. The EORTC QLQ-C30 Scoring Manual., ed. E.O.f.R.a.T.o. Cancer. 2001: Brussels

  • Sugarbaker P, et al. Quality of life assessment of patients in extremity sarcoma clinical trials. Surgery 1982;91(1):17–23

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weddington WJ, Segraves K, Simon M, Psychological outcome of extremity sarcoma survivors undergoing amputation or limb salvage. J Clin Oncol 1985;3(10):1393–9

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Refaat Y, et al. Comparison of quality of life after amputation or limb salvage. Clin Orthop 2002;397:298–305

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Edwin Bölke.

Additional information

Matthias Peiper and Wolfram Trudo Knoefel authors former address: Chirurgische Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Peiper, M., Matthaei, H., Bölke, E. et al. Compartmental resection for subfascial extremity soft tissue sarcoma and quality of life in long-term survivors. Wien Klin Wochenschr 123, 488–495 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-011-1592-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-011-1592-5

Keywords

Navigation