Multivisceral resection of retroperitoneal sarcomas in the elderly

Retroperitoneal sarcomas occur in an anatomically complex location often involving several adjacent organs. Surgery with multivisceral resection constitutes the mainstay of curative therapy. This study sought to characterise the morbidity and oncological outcomes of surgery for retroperitoneal sarcoma in an elderly population.

Patients with primary, localised retroperitoneal sarcoma referred between 1st January 2008 and 31st December 2014 were identified from multidisciplinary meeting records. The proportion of patients proceeding to surgery and oncological outcomes were compared between two groups-those aged >65 years and <65 years.

A total of 385 patients were identified. The most common histological subtypes were de-differentiated liposarcoma (40.3%), well-differentiated liposarcoma (19.5%) and leiomyosarcoma (18.2%). A greater proportion of patients aged >65 years did not undergo surgery (41.8% versus 12.0%). The rates of irresectable tumours were similar between cohorts (17.5% versus 11.0%). However, non-operative management due to comorbidities (13.4% versus 0.5%) or patient choice (8.2% versus 0.5%) was more common in patients aged >65 years. 281 patients (73.0%) proceeded to surgery. Patients aged >65 years had a higher rate of peri-operative morbidity (28.3% versus 9.5%), although no difference in peri-operative mortality or oncological outcomes was noted between age groups. The survival of patients managed non-operatively was significantly shorter than those undergoing surgery (median survival 15 versus 91 months, p < 0.001).

Extended resections for primary retroperitoneal sarcoma in the elderly achieve comparable oncological outcomes but with increased rates of morbidity when compared with younger patients. The outcomes of patients unsuitable for surgery are poor regardless of age.