Characteristics and management of uterine sarcoma patients treated at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre

The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients with uterine sarcoma from Southern Alberta to assess patterns of care and outcomes associated with treatment by a multidisciplinary team. Using the Alberta Cancer Registry database, charts of all uterine sarcoma patients treated between 1988 and 1997 in Southern Alberta were extracted. The majority of patients underwent definitive surgery. Adjuvant treatments were performed in selected patients at the discretion of the multidisciplinary tumor board. Demographics, management, and outcomes were collected into an electronic database. Eighty-seven patients were treated for uterine sarcoma at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre from 1988 to 1997. The 5-year overall survival rate was 48% and the 10-year overall survival rate was 21%. Univariate analysis demonstrated that stage, histologic subtype, and treatment with radiation therapy had a significant effect on local control and that stage and histologic subtype had a significant effect on survival. Stage was significant in the multivariate analysis for both local control (P = 0.008) and overall survival (P = 0.0001). Based on the findings in this series, stage remains a significant prognostic factor for patients with uterine sarcoma. Multidisciplinary care in the local setting reduced the use of adjuvant therapy without impacting adversely on survival or local control.