Anatomic location does not impact survival in soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity.

9056 Background: Various prognostic factors are known to influence outcome of soft tissue sarcomas. Although anatomic location of extremity sarcoma as a prognostic factor is debatable, several studies suggest lower extremity sarcoma have a worse outcome than upper extremity sarcoma. The aims of the current study were to evaluate overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of soft tissue sarcomas located in the extremity, and test the prognostic value of a series of clinicopathological parameters. METHODS A Retrospective review was undertaken to identify patients with sarcoma located in the extremities. All patients received their primary surgical treatment in our department between January 1991 and December 2001. Univariate and multivariate analyses of potential predictive factors were evaluated with the log-rank test and Cox regression. RESULTS Of the 134 patients identified, 99 patients had lower extremity sarcoma and 35 patients had upper extremity sarcoma. No differences in size, stage or adjuvant therapy were identified between upper and lower extremity sarcomas (p=.11, p=.22 and p=.24, respectively). Mean age was 50 years. Median follow-up was 27 months (range 1-116 months). By univariate analysis, stage, size, and adjuvant therapy of the primary tumor were associated with a decreased in both OS (p<.05) and DFS (p<.05). Age 50 years or greater influenced OS (p<.001) but not DFS (p=.21). Histology of the primary tumor did not effect OS (p=.21) but tended to effect DFS (p<.001). Anatomic location and gender did not significantly influence OS or DFS. By multivariate Cox regression, only adjuvant therapy effected DFS (p=.002). Age, gender, histology, size, stage, and adjuvant therapy did not significantly influence DFS. Overall-survival was influenced by age, histology, stage, and adjuvant therapy. Anatomic location did not have an effect on OS (p=.17) or DFS (p=.99). CONCLUSION Location of the primary site of extremity sarcoma does not influence overall survival and disease-free survival. Patients with upper extremity sarcoma do not have a worse outcome than patients with lower extremity sarcoma. No significant financial relationships to disclose.