Background: Retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcomas (RSTS) are a rare and uncommon entity with a poor 5-year overall survival (OS) of approximately 50%, even though they rarely metastasize. The aim of the present study was to analyze the survival of patients with RSTS treated at our institution.
Patients and methods: Patients with RSTS treated between 1990 and 2008 were included. Variables analyzed were age, sex, histological type, TNM stage, tumor size, grade of differentiation, and treatment (surgery, chemotherapy only, radiotherapy only, adjuvant radiotherapy, and best supportive care). R0, R1, and R2 resection were analyzed. Overall survival, recurrence-free survival (RFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and survival comparison by stage, grade, and type of resection were analyzed.
Results: Data for 46 patients were analyzed, 20 men and 26 women. Median age was 51.1 years. Surgery with a curative intent was performed in 32 patients, and R0 resection was feasible in 19 (59.4%). The 5- and 10-year OS rates were 47 and 30%, respectively, for the entire group. The median CSS for resected patients was 102 months; the 5-year OS for stages I, III, and IV was 83, 37, and 0%, respectively; the 5-year OS for low histological grade disease and high histological grade disease was 82 and 35%, respectively; and for R0, R1, and R2 resection, the 5-year OS was 81, 56, and 14%, respectively. Median RFS was 79 months.
Conclusions: Incomplete surgical resection, unresectable disease, high histological grade, and advanced TNM stage are associated with a poor survival in patients with RSTS. Complete resection is still the treatment of choice.