Retroperitoneal Soft-Tissue Sarcoma: Retrospective Study from a Cancer Hospital in Pakistan

Author(s): Jibran Mohsin, Aun Jamal, Noor-ul-Mubeen, Aamir Ali Syed

Objectives: To determine the clinicopathological aspects and factors determining the recurrence and 5-year survival of patients diagnosed with retroperitoneal soft-tissue sarcoma in a Pakistani cohort of patients.

Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Surgical Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital & Research Centre (SKMCH&RC), Lahore, Pakistan. Patients who underwent surgery for retroperitoneal sarcoma from January 2011 to December 2015 were included and followed for 5 years (December 2020). A total of 54 patients was included in this study.

Results: Fifty-seven percent (n=31) cases were male with a median age at the time of presentation 43 (30-60) years. Well-differentiated liposarcoma was the most common variant. Non-compartmental resection was done in 40 (74%) of the cases. The overall 5-year survival was 74% with median Disease-Free Survival (DFS) of 14 (6-48) months. Recurrence was seen in 28 cases (52%).

Conclusions: In the Pakistani cohort of patients. retroperitoneal soft-tissue sarcoma was more commonly seen in males at the median age of 43 years. The most common presentations were abdominal pain and mass. Well-differentiated liposarcoma was the most common histological variant. The overall 5-year survival was 74% that was affected by histological variant and grade. Recurrence was affected by histological variant and grade, margin positivity, and use of neoadjuvant therapy.