Frequency of histopathologic types of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) reported from a large community-based hospital over a 20 year period

Abstract

19507 Background: Soft Tissue Sarcomas (STS) are rare tumors primarily of mesenchymal origin. The World Health Organization recognizes more than 50 subtypes of STS. Previously reported frequencies of histopathologic types of STS come from a handful of large cancer centers. The incidence of tumor types seen at large cancer treatment centers do not necessarily reflect the histologies seen at community hospitals. We sought to determine the frequency of histopathologic types of adult STS seen at our large community-based hospital. Methods: We performed a search of our tumor registry from the year 1984 through 2004 looking for histologic types of non-GIST STS involving the peripheral nervous system, autonomic nervous system, retroperitoneum, peritoneum, other connective and soft tissue locations. Our tumor registry is certified through the American College of Surgeons. Our pathologist are board certified, highly skilled, and commonly refer pathologic specimens for second opinion if a histologic diagnosis is in doubt. The 10 most common histologies diagnosed are reported. Results: Our hospital diagnosed and treated 250 STS over this 20 year period. The histologic type of sarcoma by number and percent of total cases is as follows: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma 60 (24%), Liposarcoma 51 (20%), Leiomyosarcoma 38(15%), Sarcoma N.O.S. 18(7%), Hemangiosarcoma 15 (6%), Synovial Sarcoma 10 (4%), Rhabdomyosarcoma 9 (4%), Fibrosarcoma 9 (4%), Spindle Cell Sarcoma 7 (3%), and Giant Cell Sarcoma 3 (3%). Conclusions: The frequency of the most common histologic types of soft tissue sarcoma seen at our community hospital is quite consistent with that previously reported in the literature from large referral-based cancer centers. There does not appear to be an influence of selection bias in previous reports of relative frequency of histopathologic types of STS. No significant financial relationships to disclose.