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What Is the Significance of Indeterminate Pulmonary Nodules in High-Grade Soft Tissue Sarcomas? A Retrospective Cohort Study

Lookup NU author(s): Marcus BrookesORCiD, Dr Corey ChanORCiD, Mani Ragbir, Tom Beckingsale, Dr Kenneth RankinORCiD

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Abstract

Background: Sarcomas are rare, aggressive cancers which frequently metastasise to the lungs. Following diagnosis, patients typically undergo staging by means of a CT scan of their chest. This often identifies indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPNs), but the significance of these in high-grade soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is unclear. Identifying whether these are benign or malignant is important for clinical decision making. This study analyses the clinical relevance of IPNs in high-grade STS. Methods: All patients treated at our centre for high-grade soft tissue sarcoma between 2010 and 2020 were identified from a prospective database. CT scans and their reports were reviewed, and survival data were collected from patient records. Results: 389 suitable patients were identified; 34.4% had IPNs on their CT staging scan and 20.1% progressed into lung metastases. Progression was more likely with IPNs ≥ 5 mm in diameter (p = 0.006), multiple IPNs (p = 0.013) or bilateral IPNs (p = 0.022), as well as in patients with primaries ≥ 5 cm (p = 0.014), grade 3 primaries (p = 0.009) or primaries arising deep to the fascia (p = 0.041). The median time to progression was 143 days. IPNs at diagnosis were associated with an increased risk of developing lung metastases and decreased OS in patients with grade 3 STS (p = 0.0019 and p = 0.0016, respectively); this was not observed in grade 2 patients. Conclusions: IPNs at diagnosis are associated with significantly worse OS in patients with grade 3 STS. It is crucial to consider the primary tumour as well as the IPNs when considering the risk of progression. Surveillance CT scans should be carried out within 6 months.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Brookes MJ, Chan CD, Crowley TP, Ragbir M, Beckingsale T, Ghosh KM, Rankin KS

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Cancers

Year: 2023

Volume: 15

Issue: 13

Online publication date: 07/07/2023

Acceptance date: 05/07/2023

Date deposited: 12/09/2023

ISSN (electronic): 2072-6694

Publisher: MDPI AG

URL: https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15133531

DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133531

Data Access Statement: Further data are available upon request from the corresponding author.

PubMed id: 37444641

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