Related Experiment Videos
Soft tissue sarcoma of the hand.
M McPhee1, B E McGrath, P Zhang
1Division of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.
The Journal of Hand Surgery
|October 6, 1999
Summary
Primary soft tissue sarcomas of the hand are rare. Amputation offered superior local control, but limb-sparing surgery with adjuvant therapy showed similar survival rates for selected patients.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
- Cancer Epidemiology
Background:
- Primary soft tissue sarcomas of the hand are rare, comprising 4% of extremity soft tissue sarcomas.
- Understanding the epidemiology and treatment outcomes is crucial for improving patient prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and survival outcomes of primary soft tissue sarcomas of the hand.
- To identify prognostic factors influencing survival in patients with hand sarcomas.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of a tumor registry from January 1972 to January 1996.
- Inclusion of 24 patients diagnosed with primary soft tissue sarcoma of the hand.
- Statistical analysis of treatment, recurrence, survival, tumor size, and stage.
Main Results:
- Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (38%) and epithelioid sarcoma (25%) were the most common histologic types.
- Amputation was superior to other treatments for local recurrence; no significant difference in distant failures.
- 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 59% and 53%. Stage II had 68% and 59% survival, Stage III had 20% 5-year survival.
- Tumor size (<5 cm) and stage (I/II) were significant positive prognostic factors for survival.
Conclusions:
- Limb-sparing surgery with adjuvant therapy can achieve survival rates comparable to amputation in selected hand sarcoma patients.
- Tumor size and stage are critical prognostic indicators for primary soft tissue sarcomas of the hand.