Outcome After Surgery for Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Patients Presenting With Metastasis at Diagnosis

Objectives: About 10% of patients present with metastasis at diagnosis in extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Although the prognoses of these patients is generally poor, prolonged survival has been demonstrated in some patients. Thus, better prognostication is needed to guide decisions regarding adjuvant therapy and surveillance. This study sought to analyze the survival and to identify clinicopathologic factors associated with survival in extremity STS patients presenting with metastasis at diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Review of 43 patients presenting with metastasis at diagnosis who underwent resection of the primary tumor was performed. Patient, tumor, and treatment-related factors were analyzed for possible prognostic effect on survival. Results: The median survival of all patients was 22 +/- 4.1 months. The 2- and 5-year survival rates were 45.6% and 18.0%, respectively. In univariate analysis, tumor location in lower extremity (P = 0.041) and the performance of metastasectomy (P = 0.001) were significantly associated with better survival. In multivariate analysis, only the performance of metastasectomy remained significant (hazard ratio = 3.8, P = 0.012). The median survival of patients who underwent metastasectomy was significantly longer than that of patients who did not undergo metastasectomy (41 +/- 8.4 vs 11 +/- 3.8mo, P = 0.001). Conclusions: Extremity STS patients who present with metastasis at diagnosis have a poor prognosis. Patients who undergo metastasectomy have a better chance for prolonged survival.