Major Nerve Resections in Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcomas-Functional and Oncological Outcomes

Abstract

Soft tissue sarcomas form 1% of all cancers and are rare. The lower limb is one of the commonest sites of sarcoma, with the thigh accounting for the majority of these tumors. Large tumors abut the neurovascular bundles both anteriorly and in the hamstring compartment. Nerve involvement, especially the major nerves such as the femoral and the sciatic, by these tumors, was considered to be an absolute contraindication for limb salvage procedures. We present our data of major nerve resection without amputation, in an attempt to demonstrate the possibility of equivalent functional and oncological outcomes in these rare tumors. A total of 86 cases of extremity soft tissue sarcomas were operated on during the period September 2019 to September 2022, of which there were 12 cases of major nerve resections of the lower extremity. These patients were followed up and their clinicopathological data collected and analyzed. The functional outcome was recorded at different intervals. Of the 12 patients who underwent nerve resection along with the tumor, only 1 patient developed a local recurrence. Two patients developed multiple lung metastases, and the other 9 patients are alive and free of disease, with a median follow-up of 26 months. The MSTS score was assessed at 1 month post-surgery, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year post-surgery. Except for one patient where the score was 20%, all the other patients had scores of 80% or more. Major nerve involvement by soft tissue sarcomas is not an indication for amputation. Limb salvage can be performed with no effect on the oncological outcomes.

Keywords: Functional outcomes; Major nerve resection; Oncological results; Soft tissue sarcomas.

Fig. 1

A MRI images showing type a encasement of the sciatic nerve by a synovial sarcoma. B Intraoperative findings and proximal dissection of the nerve (2 cm). C gross appearance of the intra tumoral component of the sciatic nerve