Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
07:15
A Mouse Model of Incompletely Resected Soft Tissue Sarcoma for Testing (Neo)adjuvant Therapies
Published on: July 28, 2020
Inadvertent surgical resection of soft tissue sarcomas.
M Venkatesan1, C J Richards, T A McCulloch
1Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospitals of Leicester, Infirmary Square, Leicester, LE1 5WW, UK. s.m.robinson@ncl.ac.uk
Summary
Unplanned excision of soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) by non-specialist surgeons remains a significant issue, leading to incomplete tumor removal and the need for further surgery. Excision of large or deep soft tissue masses without prior tissue diagnosis is unacceptable.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines aim to improve diagnostic accuracy and outcomes for soft tissue sarcomas (STSs).
- Despite guidelines, inadvertent excisions of STSs occur frequently, potentially compromising patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the experience of the East Midlands Sarcoma Service in managing inadvertent excisions of STSs.
- To analyze patient profiles, referral patterns, management, and oncological outcomes following unplanned resection of STSs.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patient case notes.
- Identification of patients from a specialist sarcoma database.
Main Results:
- Over 3 years, 42 patients presented with unplanned excision of STSs.
- Tumor locations included lower extremity (50%), trunk (33%), and upper extremity (17%).
- Re-resection was required in 40 cases due to residual tumor in 74%; limb salvage was not possible in 5 cases.
Conclusions:
- Unplanned excision of sarcomas by non-oncologic surgeons and general practitioners is a persistent problem.
- Excision of large or deep soft tissue masses without tissue diagnosis is unacceptable and requires specialist management.
