Soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities and trunk. Surgical and oncological outcomes in patients with local disease

Abstract

Background: Local soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of the extremities and superficial trunk require multimodal treatment to achieve local control rates > 80%.
Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the long-term surgical and oncological outcomes of patients with STS of the extremities and trunk with local disease.
Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive and observational study of patients with STS of the extremities and trunk who underwent surgery between 2008 and 2024. Patients were divided into 3 groups: primary tumors (G!), local recurrences (G2) and margin widening following inadequate resections (G3). The clinical and pathological characteristics, type of resection and reconstruction, complications, and adjunctive treatment therapy were recorded. Local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated in each group.
Results: A total of 124 patients were included: 61 (49%) in group 1, 37 (30% in group 2, and 26 (21%) in group 3. Median tumor size was 8.5 cm (IQR 3.25-12). All the tumors were completely resected with limb preservation in 98.8%. Reconstructive procedures were performed in 36 cases (29%), with a higher incidence in groups G2 and G3. Radiation therapy was administered to 22 patients in G1, 6 as neoadjuvant therapy and 16 as adjuvant therapy. In G1, 5-year LRFS, distant metastases and OS were 82.8%, 63.5%, and 79.3%, respectively. In G2 and G3, the rates were 61.6%, 75%, and 85.3%.