Friedmann D, Wunder JS, Ferguson P, O'Sullivan B, Roberge D, Catton C, Freeman C, Saran N, Turcotte RE, et al.
Sarcoma. Date of publication 2011 Jan 1;volume 2011():289673.
1. Sarcoma. 2011;2011:289673. doi: 10.1155/2011/289673. Epub 2011 Nov 20.
Incidence and Severity of Lymphoedema following Limb Salvage of Extremity Soft
Tissue Sarcoma.
Friedmann D(1), Wunder JS, Ferguson P, O'Sullivan B, Roberge D, Catton C, Freeman
C, Saran N, Turcotte RE.
Author information:
(1)Division of Orthopedic Surgery, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC,
Canada H3G 1A4.
Background and Purpose. Lymphoedema is a serious complication following limb
salvage for extremity soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) for which little is known. We
aimed to evaluate its incidence, its, severity and its associated risk factors.
Material and Method. Patient and tumor characteristics, treatment modalities and
complications and functional outcomes (MSTS 1987, TESS), and lymphoedema severity
(Stern) were all collected from prospective databases. Charts were
retrospectively abstracted for BMI and comorbidities. Results. There were 289
patients (158 males). Mean age was 53 (16-88). Followup ranged between 12 and 60
months with an average of 35 and a median of 36 months. Mean BMI was 27.4
(15.8-52.1). 72% had lower extremity tumors and 38% upper extremity. Mean tumor
size was 8.1 cm (1.0-35.6 cm). 27% had no adjuvant radiation, 62% had 50 Gy, and
11% received 66 Gy. The incidence of lymphoedema was 28.8% (206 none, 58 mild, 22
moderate, 3 severe, and 0 very severe). Mean MSTS score was 32 (11-35) and TESS
was 89.4 (32.4-100). Radiation dose was significantly correlated with tumor size
> 5 cm (P = 0.0001) and TESS score (P = 0.001), but not MSTS score (P = 0.090).
Only tumor size > 5 cm and depth were found to be independent predictors of
significant lymphoedema. Conclusion. Nine percent of STS patients in our cohort
developed significant (grade ≥ 2) lymphoedema. Tumor size > 5 cm and deep tumors
were associated with an increased occurrence of lymphoedema but not radiation
dosage.
DOI: 10.1155/2011/289673
PMCID: PMC3236348
PMID: 22190861
