Myra M. Robinson

The effect of radiation therapy in the treatment of adult soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities: a long-term community-based cancer center experience

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of external beam radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS) before or after limb‐sparing surgery (LSS) in a community‐based setting. Patients presenting to our institution from 1992 to 2010 and meeting eligibility criteria were stratified into low (G1) or high (G2, G3) pathologic grade and evaluated. Major complication events, including amputation, radiation‐induced sarcoma, and pathologic fracture, were assessed. Kaplan–Meier techniques and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used. One hundred and sixty‐two eligible patients underwent LSS for extremity STS (120 high grade, 42 low grade). Median time of follow‐up was 5.1 years (0.8–20.3 years). RT was administered to 111 patients. In unadjusted models, RT significantly decreased the risk of local recurrence (LR) in high‐grade STS patients (P = 0.005) and had a trend for improved recurrence‐free survival (RFS) (P = 0.069). In multivariable‐adjusted models, RT significantly improved time to LR (P = 0.001), RFS (P = 0.003), and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.003). Analysis of all patients showed those who underwent RT had a major complication rate (MCR) of 16.2%, compared to 3.9% in the no RT group (P = 0.037); however, the difference in MCR did not differ significantly when the analysis was restricted to high‐grade sarcomas. In our large experience of patients with extremity STS undergoing limb sparing surgery (LSS), RT significantly improved local recurrence (LR), RFS, and OS, in patients with high‐grade tumors. Efficacy benefits of RT should be weighed against potential complications. External beam RT should be considered in patients with resected high‐grade sarcomas.

Changes in margin re‐excision rates: Experience incorporating the “no ink on tumor” guideline into practice

Prior to the “no ink on tumor” SSO/ASTRO consensus guideline, approximately 20% of women with stage I/II breast cancers undergoing breast conservation surgery at our institution underwent margin re‐excision. On May 20, 2013, our institution changed the definition of negative margins from 2 mm to “no ink on tumor.”

Functional and survival outcomes in patients undergoing surgical treatment for metastatic disease of the spine

Background Retrospective review of a prospective database. Spine metastasis has been shown to occur in 40% of cancer patients with an annual incidence of over 18,000 cases in North America alone. In this study, we sought to explore the functional and survival outcomes of patients undergoing surgical treatment for metastatic disease of the spine. Methods A retrospective cohort study of a prospective database at a major cancer center was conducted. A total of 55 patients who met the inclusion criteria from January 2010 to December 2015 were included. Functional status was assessed through patients ambulatory status. Patient and tumor characteristics were analyzed and regression analyses were performed. Results Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was the most common subtype encountered (27.3%). Excluding patients who had spinal metastasis at time of diagnosis, the median time to spinal metastasis from cancer diagnosis was 2.5 years. Median overall survival (OS) time was 1.8 years post diagnosis and 1.6 years post-surgical intervention. Age and tumor subtype were independent predictors of death (P<0.05). Post-surgical intervention, only 3.6% of patients were unable to ambulate-an improvement from 12.7% seen in the immediate preoperative period, P=0.0253. However, at the time of final follow-up, this number had risen to nearly 37%, P<0.0001. Conclusions Spinal metastasis portends a debilitating prognosis. Ambulatory status is improved or maintained in the post-surgical period. However, long-term outlook remains dismal with median survival at only 1.8 years following diagnosis of spinal metastasis and ambulatory status declining precipitously at the time of final follow-up.

Survival Outcomes and Factors Associated with Revision Surgery for Metastatic Disease of the Spine

Study Design Retrospective review of a prospective database. Objective Certain subset of patients undergoing surgical treatment for spinal metastasis will require a revision surgery in their disease course; however, factors predictive of revision surgery and survival outcomes are largely unknown. The goal of this study is to report on survival outcomes as well as factors predictive of revision surgery in this unique patient population. Methods A total of 55 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included from January 2010 to December 2015. Twelve (22%) of these patients underwent a revision surgery. Patient and tumor characteristics were summarized and survival outcomes were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression. Results Both the revision and the nonrevision groups were similarly matched with respect to spine disease burden, neurological status at time of initial presentation, primary malignancy types, and the use of adjuvant treatment modalities. Tumor progression (66.7%) was the most common reason for necessitating a revision followed by nonunion (16.7%), wound dehiscence (8.3%), and construct failure (8.3%). Following multivariate model selection procedures, smokers were found to have 3.5 times increased odds of undergoing revision compared to nonsmokers (p = 0.05). Analysis of survival curves showed that the median survival in the revision group was 3.0 years (95% CI: 1.5, 4.1), while the median survival in the nonrevision group was 1.5 years (95% CI: 1.1, 2.3; log-rank test, p = 0.105). Conclusion Despite aggressive treatment, tumor progression is the most common reason for revision surgery. Smoking is an independent risk factor for revision. Revision surgery should be considered in patients when indicated as it does not appear to detrimentally affect survival.

Application of ACOSOG Z1071: Effect of Results on Patient Care and Surgical Decision-Making

&NA; The translation of new clinical information into practice can be quite lengthy. We examined our experience in using new data showing that sentinel lymph node biopsy in women after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was feasible. Adoption of ACOSOG (American College of Surgeons Oncology Group) Z1071 was rapid with 73% of patients being treated with the new paradigm within 18 months. Background: The ACOSOG (American College of Surgeons Oncology Group) Z1071 assessed the feasibility of performing sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in node‐positive patients who completed neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Historically, adoption of clinical research into practice takes years. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of Z1071 on our practice. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective review of Z1071’s influence on a single institution’s practice. Patients with biopsy‐proven positive axillary lymph nodes before NACT were eligible for the study. After NACT, patients with nodal response according to imaging and exam were candidates for SLNB. Two cohorts were stratified according to diagnosis date before and after Z1071 results were presented on December 5, 2012 at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Fisher exact tests and nonparametric rank tests were used to compare cohorts. Results: The pre‐Z1071 cohort included 74 patients and the post‐Z1071 cohort 56 for a total of 130 patients. Post‐Z1071, 73% (41/56) underwent a SLNB with an average of 4 nodes removed. Moreover, 27% (15/56) of patients had an axillary lymph node dissection as first intervention post‐Z1071, compared with 99% (73/74) pre‐Z1071. Axillary pathologic complete response pre‐Z1071 was 35% (26/74) and post‐Z1071 was 27% (15/56) (P = .35). Conclusion: This report shows that meaningful practice changes can be implemented rapidly. Changes in practice generated by clinical trial results should be monitored and outcomes followed.