The outcome of the surgical treatment of pelvic chondrosarcomas

Abstract

Aims Few studies dealing with chondrosarcoma of the pelvis are currently available. Different data about the overall survival and prognostic factors have been published but without a detailed analysis of surgery-related complications. We aimed to analyse the outcome of a series of pelvic chondrosarcomas treated at a single institution, with particular attention to the prognostic factors. Based on a competing risk model, our objective was to identify risk factors for the development of complications. Patients and Methods In a retrospective single-centre study, 58 chondrosarcomas (26 patients alive, 32 patients dead) of the pelvis were reviewed. The mean follow-up was 13 years (one week to 23.1 years). Results A total of 26 patients (45%) were alive and 32 patients (55%) had died. Overall survival was 76%, 55% and 45% at one, five and ten years post-operatively, respectively. In a competing risk model the cumulative risk of the development of a surgery-related complication was 64% at six months and 69% at one year, post-operatively, respectively. Endoprosthetic reconstruction was a significant risk factor for the development of complications (p = 0.006). Complications were not significantly related to age or the location or grade of the tumour (p = 0.823, p = 0.976, p = 0.858). The development of complications did not have a negative effect on survival (p = 0.147). Conclusion This is the first study with competing risk analysis of surgery-related complications in patients with a pelvic chondrosarcoma. The surgery in these patients remains prone to complications. Endoprosthetic reconstruction significantly increases the risk of the development of complications (p = 0.006). A competing risk model showed that the development of complications does not have a negative influence on overall survival (p = 0.147). An aggressive, surgical resection with the goal of achieving wide margins whenever possible remains the mainstay of treatment. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:686–96.