Health-related quality of life after isolated limb perfusion compared to extended resection, or amputation for locally advanced extremity sarcoma:Is a limb salvage strategy worth the effort?

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare long-term patient reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with locally advanced extremity soft tissue sarcoma (eSTS) after isolated limb perfusion followed by resection (IR), compared to extended resection (ER), primary amputation (A) or secondary amputation after IR (IR-A). Methods: Patients were selected from the respondents of a multi-institutional cross-sectional cohort survivorship study (SURVSARC) conducted among sarcoma survivors registered in the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR), 2–10 years after diagnosis. Used PROs were the EORTC QLQ-C30, the Cancer worry scale (CWS), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS). Results: We identified 97 eSTS survivors: IR = 20, ER = 49, A = 20, IR-A = 8. While there were no differences in PROs between IR and ER, results showed better functioning and functionality in both groups versus the amputation groups. The amputation groups scored significantly lower on physical functioning (A = 62.7, IR-A = 65.7 versus IR = 78.0, ER = 82.7, p = 0.001) and role functioning (A = 67.5, IR-A = 52.8 versus IR = 79.2, ER = 80.6, p = 0.039), both EORTC QLQ-C30 scales. Also for the TESS, the scores were significantly lower for the amputation groups compared to the limb sparing groups (upper extremity p = 0.007 with A = 68.9, IR-A = 71.6 versus IR = 93.3, ER = 91.1; lower extremity p < 0.001 with A = 72.2, IR-A50.9 versus IR = 84.5 and ER = 85.5). There were no significant differences between the groups on cancer worry, anxiety and depression. Conclusion: HRQoL in eSTS survivors treated with IR or ER is equal; for maintenance of physical functioning and functionality IR and ER outperform an amputation

Multimodality treatment of undifferentiated pleomorphic soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity (eUPS) in the elderly

Introduction: This subgroup analysis of undifferentiated pleomorphic soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity (eUPS) from the PERSARC collaborative group aimed to achieve a more personalized multimodality treatment approach for primary eUPS in elderly patients. Material and methods: A multicenter retrospective study including primary high-grade eUPS surgically treated with curative intent between 2000 and 2016. Overall survival (OS), local recurrence (LR) and distant metastasis (DM) curves were calculated by Kaplan Meier analysis. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the effect of radiotherapy. Results: From a total of 2511 patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma (eSTS) of the PERSARC study collaborative; 703 patients with eUPS were included in this study. In elderly patients with eUPS 5-year OS, LR and DM were 35.4 (95%CI 29.3–42.8), 17.7 (95%CI 12.7–22.6) and 24.6 (95%CI 19.1–30.1). eUPS was significantly less treated with radiotherapy compared with other eSTS, especially in elderly patients. Patients with R1-R2 margins treated with radiotherapy had about half the risk of developing LR compared with patients treated without radiotherapy (HR = 0.454, p = 0.033). Conclusion: Elderly patients with eUPS were less often treated with radiotherapy and showed higher LR. Nowadays, given an increasing life expectancy in elderly patients, multimodality treatment should be considered

Prediction tools for the personalized management of soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremity

Prediction tools are instruments which are commonly used to estimate the prognosis in oncology and facilitate clinical decision-making in a more personalized manner. Their popularity is shown by the increasing numbers of prediction tools, which have been described in the medical literature. Many of these tools have been shown to be useful in the field of soft-tissue sarcoma of the extremities (eSTS). In this annotation, we aim to provide an overview of the available prediction tools for eSTS, provide an approach for clinicians to evaluate the performance and usefulness of the available tools for their own patients, and discuss their possible applications in the management of patients with an eSTS.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(9):1011-1016

Comparison between tripod and skin-fixed recording of scapular motion

Non-invasive dynamical measurements of 3D scapular motion can be performed easily by attachment of a 6 DOF electromagnetic receiver onto the skin above the acromion. To quantify the introduction of possible errors due to skin displacement, we assessed 3D scapular positions on n = 8 subjects by both tripod and skin-fixed method. Error analysis included the variables method (tripod, skin-fixed simultaneously with tripod, separate skin-fixed at 0 and 0.25 Hz of elevation speed), plane of elevation (0° and 90°) and observation (receiver replacement: n = 3). Inter-individual 'group' differences depended on elevation plane and showed an average underestimation of scapular rotation of 6.5° (worst case 13°) using the skin-fixed method. Only the group RMSE, not the individual RMSE, could be successfully lowered using linear regression (to about 2°). Inter-trial reliability (RMSE 0.94) and RMSE between 0 and 0.25 Hz recordings (about 2.5°) were satisfactory. Intra-observer RMSE after replacement of the skin-fixed receiver was 5°. The skin-fixed method is suitable for dynamic recordings of scapular rotations; however, measurements are precise only when the acromion receiver is not replaced. Combined with a relatively low accuracy, we conclude that the skin-fixed method should be used only in combination with tripod 'calibration'

External validation and adaptation of a dynamic prediction model for patients with high-grade extremity soft tissue sarcoma

Background and Objectives: A dynamic prediction model for patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities was previously developed to predict updated overall survival probabilities throughout patient follow-up. This study updates and externally validates the dynamic model. Methods: Data from 3826 patients with high-grade extremity soft tissue sarcoma, treated surgically with curative intent were used to update the dynamic PERsonalised SARcoma Care (PERSARC) model. Patients were added to the model development cohort and grade was included in the model. External validation was performed with data from 1111 patients treated at a single tertiary center. Results: Calibration plots show good model calibration. Dynamic C-indices suggest that the model can discriminate between high- and low-risk patients. The dynamic C-indices at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years after surgery were equal to 0.697, 0.790, 0.822, 0.818, 0.812, and 0.827, respectively. Conclusion: Results from the external validation show that the dynamic PERSARC model is reliable in predicting the probability of surviving an additional 5 years from a specific prediction time point during follow-up. The model combines patient-, treatment-specific and time-dependent variables such as local recurrence and distant metastasis to provide accurate survival predictions throughout follow-up and is available through the PERSARC app

Resuscitating extremities after soft tissue sarcoma resections : Are functional reconstructions an overlooked option in limb salvage? A systematic review

Background: Although resection of extremity soft tissue sarcomas can occasionally lead to large disabilities, literature regarding the necessity and outcome of functional reconstructions are scarce. The goal of this review is to assess outcomes and usage of functional reconstructions in light of multimodal treatment. Methods: A systematic search was performed in July 2018 in PubMed and Embase databases according to the PRISMA guidelines. Search terms related to ‘soft tissue sarcoma’ and ‘functional reconstruction’ were used. Case series evaluating outcomes of functional reconstructions after STS resection were included. Functional reconstructions were limited to free functioning muscle transfers, tendon reconstructions, and nerve reconstructions. Qualitative synthesis was performed on all studies. Tumor grade, multimodal treatment, reconstruction, outcomes, and complications were collected from individual patient data. Results were summarized by tumor site. Results: Fourteen studies were included after full-text screening. A total of 134 patients were described, of which the majority (74.9%) had functional reconstructions in the lower extremity. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy were administered in 60.3% and 49.4% respectively. Free functioning muscle transfers were used in 41.0% of all cases, tendon reconstructions in 58.2%, and nerve reconstructions in only 12.7%. A wide variety of outcome measures were used. Most patients regained good functionality, also after multimodal treatment. Unfavorable outcomes were often related to flap failure or allograft tendon rupture. Conclusion: Functional reconstructions in extremity STS are rarely described, but generally result in good functionality in spite of multimodal treatment. Early participation of reconstructive surgeons may help achieve ideal functional and oncological outcomes

Resuscitating extremities after soft tissue sarcoma resections : Are functional reconstructions an overlooked option in limb salvage? A systematic review

Background: Although resection of extremity soft tissue sarcomas can occasionally lead to large disabilities, literature regarding the necessity and outcome of functional reconstructions are scarce. The goal of this review is to assess outcomes and usage of functional reconstructions in light of multimodal treatment. Methods: A systematic search was performed in July 2018 in PubMed and Embase databases according to the PRISMA guidelines. Search terms related to ‘soft tissue sarcoma’ and ‘functional reconstruction’ were used. Case series evaluating outcomes of functional reconstructions after STS resection were included. Functional reconstructions were limited to free functioning muscle transfers, tendon reconstructions, and nerve reconstructions. Qualitative synthesis was performed on all studies. Tumor grade, multimodal treatment, reconstruction, outcomes, and complications were collected from individual patient data. Results were summarized by tumor site. Results: Fourteen studies were included after full-text screening. A total of 134 patients were described, of which the majority (74.9%) had functional reconstructions in the lower extremity. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy were administered in 60.3% and 49.4% respectively. Free functioning muscle transfers were used in 41.0% of all cases, tendon reconstructions in 58.2%, and nerve reconstructions in only 12.7%. A wide variety of outcome measures were used. Most patients regained good functionality, also after multimodal treatment. Unfavorable outcomes were often related to flap failure or allograft tendon rupture. Conclusion: Functional reconstructions in extremity STS are rarely described, but generally result in good functionality in spite of multimodal treatment. Early participation of reconstructive surgeons may help achieve ideal functional and oncological outcomes

Impaired social functioning in adolescent and young adult sarcoma survivors:Prevalence and risk factors

Background: Sarcomas account for almost 11% of all cancers in adolescents and young adults (AYAs; 18–39 years). AYAs are increasingly recognized as a distinct oncological age group with its own psychosocial challenges and biological characteristics. Social functioning has been shown to be one of the most severely affected domains of health-related quality of life in AYA cancer survivors. This study aims to identify AYA sarcoma survivors with impaired social functioning (ISF) and determine clinical and psychosocial factors associated with ISF. Methods: AYAs from the population-based cross-sectional sarcoma survivorship study (SURVSARC) were included (n = 176). ISF was determined according to the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 social functioning scale, and age- and sex-matched norm data were used as reference. Results: The median time since diagnosis was 6.2 years (range, 1.8–11.2). More than one-quarter (28%) of AYA sarcoma survivors experienced ISF. Older age, higher tumor stage, comorbidities, lower experienced social support, uncertainty in relationships, feeling less attractive, sexual inactivity, unemployment, and financial difficulties were associated with ISF. In a multivariable analysis, unemployment (OR, 3.719; 95% CI, 1.261–10.967) and having to make lifestyle changes because of financial problems caused by one's physical condition or medical treatment (OR, 3.394; 95% CI, 1.118–10.300) were associated with ISF; better experienced social support was associated with non-ISF (OR, 0.739; 95% CI, 0.570–0.957). Conclusion: More than one-quarter of AYA sarcoma survivors experience ISF long after diagnosis. These results emphasize the importance of follow-up care that is not only disease-oriented but also focuses on the psychological and social domains. Plain Language Summary: Sarcomas account for almost 11% of all cancers in adolescents and young adults (AYAs; 18–39 years). The AYA group is increasingly recognized as a distinct oncological age group with its own psychosocial challenges and biological characteristics. Social functioning has been shown to be severely affected in AYA cancer survivors. A population-based questionnaire study to identify AYA sarcoma survivors with impaired social functioning (ISF) and determine factors associated with ISF was conducted. More than one-quarter of AYA sarcoma survivors experience ISF long after diagnosis. These results emphasize the importance of follow-up care that is not only disease-orientated but also focuses on the psychological and social domains.</p