Articles related to SARCOMA

The finding of a soft tissue mass on the trunk or limbs can be the source of anxiety and distress for patients, and a diagnostic challenge for physicians. In most cases the masses are benign. But when the mass is soft tissue sarcoma, the benefit of skilled early detection by the astute primary care clinician is enormous.

This Original Report from the Journal of Clinical Oncology based on the ARST0332 trial concludes: “The risk-based treatment strategy used in ARST0332 produced favorable outcomes in patients with nonmetastatic synovial sarcoma (SS) relative to historical controls despite using RT less frequently and at lower doses. The outcome for metastatic SS remains unsatisfactory and new therapies are urgently needed.”

The conclusion from the study presented in the Journal of Clinical Oncology: “While VTC added to five-drug interval compressed chemotherapy did not improve survival, these outcomes represent the best survival estimates to date for patients with previously untreated nonmetastatic Ewing sarcoma.”

Reference Source: JAMA Network OpenDesign: Retrospective study of 8,953 patients from the National Cancer Database; compared the use of definitive treatment between 2004 and 2014 of 1,280 young adults (YAs, aged 18-39 years); 3,937 patients aged 40-64 years; and 3,756 patients age 65+.Results: Amputation – 8.1% (YAs), 5.5% (40-64), 5.3% (65+). Chemotherapy – 39.4% (YAs), 29.5% (40-64), 9.3% (65+). Radiation – 59.3% (YAs), 69.1% (40-64), 63.4% (65+). Unique to young adults, clinical stage II disease vs. stage I disease and positive surgical margins were not associated with the use of radiation.

Despite aggressive therapy, the 5-year survival rate for patients with metastatic or recurrent rhabdomyosarcoma – the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood – remains poor, and beyond PAX-FOX01 fusion status, no genomic markers are available for risk stratification. This international consortium study was designed to determine the incidence of driver mutations and their association with clinical outcome.