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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2006; 54(3): 182-187
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-872973
Original Thoracic

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Surgical Treatment of Primary Soft Tissue Sarcomas Involving the Chest: Experiences in 25 Patients

J. Pfannschmidt1 , P. Geisbüsch1 , T. Muley1 , H. Dienemann1 , H. Hoffmann1
  • 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Thoraxklinik Heidelberg, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received August 1, 2005

Publication Date:
26 April 2006 (online)

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Abstract

Background: Primary soft tissue sarcomas of the chest wall are uncommon and data concerning treatment and results are sparse. We reviewed our experience with chest wall resections of these lesions. Methods: Retrospective review of our database identified 25 patients (12 men, 13 women) who underwent chest wall resection for primary soft tissue sarcoma during the 18-year study period (January 1984 through to January 2002). The mean follow-up period was 46.5 months. Results: The 30-day mortality was zero. The cumulative 5-year survival rate of all 25 patients was 56.9 %, and the median survival 99.5 months. This compared with 42.2 % and a median survival of 36.0 months after chest wall resection for high grade tumor histology. Histological type grading clearly influenced long-term survival (p = 0.036). Local recurrence occurred in 9 patients, 6 of 8 who were resected with positive margins and 3 of 17 who were resected with negative margins. Chest wall resections extended with lung resections did not significantly impair postoperative pulmonary function compared to patients without concomitant lung resections. Conclusions: Chest wall resections in primary soft tissue sarcomas can be accomplished safely with a low mortality rate. Long-term survival can be achieved for primary soft tissue sarcomas but histological grading is of prognostic significance.

Key words

Malignant chest wall tumor - soft tissue sarcoma - surgery

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MD J. Pfannschmidt

Department of Surgery
Thoraxklinik Heidelberg

Amalienstraße 5

69126 Heidelberg

Germany

Phone: + 496221396217

Fax: + 49 62 21 39 65 43

Email: joachim.pfannschmidt@thoraxklinik-heidelberg.de

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