Benefit of surgical resection of distant metastasis in soft tissue sarcoma: a systematic review

Katsuhiro Hayashi1, Koji Hiraoka2, Toru Akiyama3

  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa, Japan.

Abstract

Insights

Metastasectomy may offer a clinical advantage for patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma, despite low evidence levels. Careful consideration of surgical risks versus benefits is recommended for this metastasis treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Surgical Oncology
  • Sarcoma Research

Background:

  • Advanced soft tissue sarcoma often presents with distant metastases, posing treatment challenges.
  • Metastasectomy, the surgical removal of metastatic tumors, is a potential treatment modality.
  • Clinical guidelines for the management of metastatic soft tissue sarcoma are needed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review the efficacy of metastasectomy in patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma.
  • To develop clinical guidelines for soft tissue sarcoma management based on available evidence.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic literature search was conducted from January 1985 to December 2017.
  • Two independent reviewers screened studies for eligibility and extracted data.
  • Evidence quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology.

Main Results:

  • Ten studies were included from 244 identified; no randomized controlled trials were found.
  • Median survival post-metastasectomy ranged from 9.6 to 39.6 months; 5-year survival rates were 8-52%.
  • Complication rates were 7.3-25%, with a 0-1% perioperative mortality rate.

Conclusions:

  • Retrospective studies suggest a clinical benefit of metastasectomy for soft tissue sarcoma metastasis.
  • Metastasectomy is a viable option if performed safely and benefits outweigh risks.
  • The recommendation is that metastasectomy can be offered for malignant soft tissue tumors with distant metastases.

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