Logo image
Lymph Node Metastases in Pediatric and Young Adult Patients with Non-Rhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcoma (NRSTS): Findings from Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Study ARST0332
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Lymph Node Metastases in Pediatric and Young Adult Patients with Non-Rhabdomyosarcoma Soft Tissue Sarcoma (NRSTS): Findings from Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Study ARST0332

Elysia Alvarez, Jiayi He, Sheri L. Spunt, Andrea Hayes-Jordan, Simon C. Kao, David M. Parham, Lynn Million, Aaron R. Weiss and Donald A. Barkauskas
European journal of cancer (1990), Vol.180, pp.P89-P98
11/2022
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.11.014
PMCID: PMC9940640
PMID: 36566574

View Online

Abstract

To better define the clinical features and outcomes of young patients with non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma (NRSTS) with regional and distant lymph node (LN) metastases treated in a standardized fashion, we analyzed lymph node involvement in COG study ARST0332, which evaluated a risk-based treatment strategy for young patients with all stages of NRSTS. Patients <30 years old with newly diagnosed NRSTS and LN metastases enrolled on ARST0332 were studied. Regional LN sampling was required for those with epithelioid sarcoma, clear cell sarcoma, or clinically/radiographically enlarged LNs. Tumor features and extent of pre-enrollment resection determined treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and delayed surgery. Recommendations for LN metastases included LN dissection at the time of primary tumor resection and dose-adapted radiotherapy based on extent of LN resection. Twenty of 529 eligible and evaluable ARST0332 patients with NRSTS had LN metastases; epithelioid sarcoma had the highest incidence (18%, 5 of 28). Pre-treatment imaging identified LN enlargement in 19 of 20 patients; 1 had no pre-treatment LN imaging. At 6.9 years median follow-up for surviving patients, 5-year overall survival (OS) was 85.7% (95% CI: 33.4%, 97.9%) for 7 patients with isolated LN metastases and 15.4% (95% CI: 2.5%, 38.8%) for 13 patients with additional extranodal metastases. LN recurrence occurred in only 1 patient without LNs sampled at initial diagnosis. LN metastases occur in about 4% of pediatric/young adult NRSTS, are limited to a few histologic subtypes, and are rare in patients who did not have clinical or imaging evidence of lymphadenopathy, suggesting that biopsies of non-enlarged LNs are not necessary to identify occult involvement. Patients with isolated LN metastases have high 5-year OS (∼85%) and should be treated with curative intent. •Large prospective study of NRSTS with lymph node (LN) involvement in young patients.•Occult lymph node involvement is exceedingly rare.•Isolated LN metastases have a favorable prognosis so should be treated aggressively.•Complete enlarged LN excision and nodal bed radiation correlate with better outcome.
lymph node metastases non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma (NRSTS) Pediatric prognostic factor

Details

Logo image