Pulmonary metastasectomy for sarcoma: Insights from a referral-center cohort

Abstract

Introduction

The low incidence and heterogeneity of sarcomas limit understanding of their progression in metastatic cases. The use of metastasectomy is debated due to lack of consensus and evidence-based data. This study aimed to identify simple prognostic factors that could contribute to the therapeutic strategy.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing pulmonary metastasectomy from sarcoma in our referral center between 2011 and 2022. Demographic, radiologic, pathologic, and operative data were collected. Oncological follow-up, survival, and risk factor analyses were performed.

Results

192 patients were identified (mean age 49.3 years). Primary sarcoma arose from the trunk (24.6 %) or limbs (75.4 %), and metastases were metachronous in 85.4 % of cases. The median number of operated lesions was 2, and anatomic resection were performed in 24.1 %. The postoperative course was uneventful in 91.3 % of cases. Post-operative chemotherapy followed lung resection in 68.7 %. 1-, 3-, and 5-year Overall Survival (OS) were 89.6 %, 69.8 %, 57.6 %, respectively, with a plateau phase beyond 5 years. Higher grade or trunk location of the primary sarcoma, incomplete or anatomic pulmonary resection, and post-operative systemic treatment were significantly associated with shorter OS. No histological subtype significantly impacted OS. Location of the primary, resection type, and post-operative systemic treatment independently influenced OS. Non-anatomic and repeated pulmonary resections, were independently associated with “long surviving”.

Conclusion

In metastatic sarcoma, pulmonary resections offer prolonged survival in selected patients, supporting its essential role in the whole therapeutic strategy. Anatomic and sequential metastasectomy should be cautiously discussed.