[Surgical margins as prognostic factor in pelvis chondrosarcoma. Cohort study in a sarcoma unit]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Oncology
• Surgical Pathology
• Cancer Prognostics

Context:

• Chondrosarcoma is the second most common primary malignant bone tumor, representing about 25% of all primary bone sarcomas.
• Pelvic chondrosarcomas present unique surgical challenges due to anatomical complexity.
• Surgical margin status is a critical prognostic factor influencing survival and recurrence in pelvic chondrosarcoma.

Purpose:

• To investigate the impact of surgical margins as a prognostic factor in pelvic chondrosarcoma.
• To analyze oncological outcomes in relation to surgical treatment and tumor characteristics.

Summary:

• A retrospective study of 17 pelvic chondrosarcoma patients revealed a median age of 41 years and an average tumor size of 20.9 cm.
• 58% of patients had positive surgical margins, with an average margin of 5.3 mm.
• Outcomes included 29.4% recurrence, 17.6% metastasis, and 23.5% mortality, with a median overall survival of 64 months.

Impact:

• This study, the largest cohort in Latin America, highlights that surgical margins >1 mm correlate with a more favorable prognosis.
• Involvement of multiple pelvic zones and positive surgical margins are associated with poorer oncological outcomes.
• Pelvic chondrosarcomas exhibit higher rates of positive margins and local recurrence compared to extremity chondrosarcomas.