Regional Lymph Node Metastases in Groin Sarcomas: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge

The evaluation of lymph nodes and the role of groin dissection for groin sarcomas has been controversial where there have not been previous studies or guidelines published. In this study, we aim to first formulate a clinical approach in the evaluation of regional lymph nodal metastases. Second, we aim to also evaluate the role of regional lymphadenectomy in the setting of pathologically involved regional lymph nodes for groin sarcomas.

In total, 43 consecutive patients with groin sarcomas underwent treatment at the National Cancer Centre Singapore between 2002 and 2015. Univariate comparisons were performed using the log-rank test. A Cox multivariate analysis was performed for disease-specific survival to identify independent prognostic factors.

The median disease-free survival was 18 months (range, 1 to 180 mo). The median overall survival (OS) was 28 months (range, 3 to 180 mo). In total, 28 patients underwent a groin dissection. Of the 28 patients who underwent groin dissections, 15 had negative lymph node involvement, 7 had positive lymph node involvement and 6 had lymphovascular invasion.On univariate analysis, grade (P=0.047) and clinical and/or radiological involvement (P=0.039) were significant for regional lymph nodal metastases.The 5-year OS for patients with positive lymph nodes was 31%.

Our study suggests that the evaluation of lymph nodes via groin dissections in groin sarcomas in the Asian population should be based primarily on clinical and radiologic evidence. Regional lymph node dissection seems to confer OS benefit in patients with these high-risk tumors and can improve local control of disease.