[The effects of surgical margins on local control and survival in extremity soft tissue sarcomas]

We evaluated the effects of surgical margins and other prognostic factors on local control and survival in extremity soft tissue sarcomas.

The study included 40 patients (34 males, 6 females; mean age 45 years; range 13 to 77 years) who underwent treatment for extremity soft tissue sarcomas. Of these, 14 patients presented with recurrences following treatment elsewhere. Preoperatively, nine patients and eight patients; postoperatively, 35 patients and 25 patients received radiotherapy and chemotherapy, respectively. Limb-salvaging surgery was performed in 35 patients (87.5%), of whom 28 patients (70%) received an extended resection, and seven patients received a marginal resection. Five patients (12.5%) required amputation. Negative surgical margins were achieved in 34 patients (85%), while six patients (15%) had positive surgical margins. The mean follow-up period was 58 months (range 13 to 124 months).

Five patients (12.5%) developed local recurrences following marginal resection (n=4), and amputation. No local recurrences were seen in patients receiving an extended resection or in those having negative surgical margins. Five-year survival rates were 51% and 49% in patients whose initial diagnoses were made in our department and elsewhere, respectively. Significant correlations were found between extended resection (p=0.0001) and negative surgical margins (p=0.0001) and local control; and between tumor grade and survival (p=0.002). Positive surgical margins and local recurrences did not decrease survival.

Achievement of negative surgical margins promotes local control in extremity soft tissue sarcomas. A careful preoperative planning and utilization of neoadjuvant therapies highly increase the possibility of negative surgical margins.