Enhancing local recurrence detection in patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcoma: value of short-term Ultrasonography added to post-operative MRI surveillance

Ho Young Park; Hye Won Chung; Min A Yoon; Choong Guen Chee; Wanlim Kim; Jong-Seok Lee

doi:10.1186/s40644-023-00645-9

Enhancing local recurrence detection in patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcoma: value of short-term Ultrasonography added to post-operative MRI surveillance

Cancer Imaging. 2024 Jan 19;24(1):12. doi: 10.1186/s40644-023-00645-9.

Authors

Ho Young Park¹, Hye Won Chung², Min A Yoon¹, Choong Guen Chee¹, Wanlim Kim³, Jong-Seok Lee³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea.
² Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88, Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea. chung@amc.seoul.kr.
³ Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Abstract

Background: Limited data exist on the optimal postoperative surveillance protocol for high-grade soft tissue sarcoma, particularly regarding the optimal imaging modality and imaging interval for detecting local recurrence. This study aimed to assess the benefit of short-term postoperative ultrasonography (USG) for detecting local recurrence in patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcoma.

Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed high-grade soft tissue sarcoma who underwent surgical resection between January 2010 and June 2020 were included. Short-term USG was added to the follow-up protocol as a surveillance tool alongside routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The primary outcome was the additional detection rate of short-term USG compared with routine MRI surveillance for early local recurrence detection. Subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate factors influencing USG detection rate. The additional detection rate of short-term USG for detection of metastatic lymph nodes was also evaluated. The secondary outcome was the false referral rate of short-term USG.

Results: In total, 198 patients (mean age ± standard deviation: 52.1 ± 15.8 years; 94 women) were included. Local recurrence occurred in 20 patients (10.1%; 20/198). Short-term USG detected local recurrence in advance of routine MRI visits in 7 out of 198 patients, resulting in an additional detection rate of 3.5% (95% CI: 1.7-7.1%). Subgroup analysis showed no significant difference in the short-term USG detection rate based on initial tumor characteristics, and receipt of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Short-term USG additionally detected five of seven patients with metastatic lymph nodes [2.5% (95% CI, 1.1-5.8%, 5/198)]. The false referral rate of short-term USG was 3.5% (95% CI: 1.7-7.1%; 7/198).

Conclusions: Short-term USG as part of postoperative surveillance for high-grade soft tissue sarcoma can enhance early detection of local tumor recurrence and metastatic lymphadenopathy. Early detection of local tumor recurrence could lead to a prompt surgical resection and aid in local disease control.

Keywords: Local recurrence; Soft tissue sarcoma; Ultrasonography.

MeSH terms

Female
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnostic imaging
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
Retrospective Studies
Sarcoma* / diagnostic imaging
Sarcoma* / surgery
Soft Tissue Neoplasms* / pathology
Ultrasonography