The impact of postoperative radiological surveillance intensity on disease free and overall survival from primary retroperitoneal, abdominal and pelvic soft-tissue sarcoma

Abstract

Aim: This observational study aimed to evaluate the impact of intensity of radiological surveillance on survival following resection of retroperitoneal sarcoma.

Method: Retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing primary resection of soft tissue sarcoma arising in the retroperitoneum, abdomen or pelvis at a single, high-volume sarcoma centre. Intensity of follow-up regimes up to 5 postoperative years were categorized as 'European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) compliant' (intense), or 'non-ESMO compliant' (less-intense). The primary outcome measure was overall survival (OS). The secondary outcome measures were disease-free survival (DFS) and reoperation rate. Analyses were stratified by high (grade 2 or 3) or low (grade 1) tumour grade.

Results: Of 168 patients, 67.1% had high-grade and 32.9% had low-grade disease. Overall, 40.0% of patients had ESMO-compliant radiological follow-up (high-grade:25.7%, low-grade:66.7%). 41.7% of patients died and 48.2% suffered local or distant recurrence by cessation of follow up. Upon univariable analysis for high-grade tumours, ESMO compliance reduced DFS (p = 0.066) but had no impact on OS. There was no significant difference in the reoperation rate in patients with ESMO-compliant and non-compliant follow-up (p = 0.097). In low-grade tumours, ESMO compliance significantly reduced DFS (p < 0.001), but without effecting OS. In risk-adjusted models for high-grade tumours, ESMO compliant follow-up was associated with reduced OS (HR:3.47, 1.40-8.61, p = 0.007) and no difference in DFS. In low-grade tumours, there was no association between overall ESMO compliance and OS or DFS.

Conclusion: This study did not find a benefit for high-intensity radiological surveillance and overall survival in patients undergoing primary resection for high or low-grade retroperitoneal sarcoma.

Keywords: Follow-up; Leiomyosarcoma; Liposarcoma; Radiological surveillance; Retroperitoneal sarcoma; Soft tissue sarcoma.