Epidemiology of Soft Tissue Sarcoma and Bone Sarcoma inItaly: Analysis of Data from 15 Population-Based Cancer Registries

Abstract

Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of rare cancers of mesenchymal origin. In this study, we provide updated, world age-standardised incidence rate (ASR) and European age-standardised incidence rate for malignant soft tissue sarcoma (ICD-O-3 topographic code C47–C49) and bone sarcoma (C40, C41) in Italy, by area (north, centre, and south) and by cancer registry. We also assess morphology in relation to site and area and assess metastases at diagnosis. We analysed 1,112 cases, with incidence 2009–2012, provided by 15 cancer registries (CRs) affiliated to the Association of Italian Cancer Registries (AIRTUM). Overall, ASR was 1.7/100,000/year for soft tissue sarcoma and 0.7 for bone sarcoma. Central Italy had the highest (2.4) ASR and south Italy had the lowest (1.6) ASR for soft tissue sarcoma. Central Italy had the highest (1.1) ASR and north Italy had the lowest (0.7) ASR for bone sarcoma. By CR, ASRs ranged from 1.1 to 2.6 for soft tissue sarcoma and from 0 to 1.4 for bone sarcoma. The most frequent soft tissue sarcomas were sarcoma not otherwise specified (NOS) (29.4%) and liposarcoma (22.2%); the most common bone sarcoma was chondrosarcoma (37.6%). Soft tissue sarcomas occurred most frequently (35.6%) in lower limb connective tissue; bone sarcomas arose mainly (68.8%) in long bones. The frequencies of morphologies arising at different sites varied considerably by Italian area; for example, 20% of hemangiosarcomas occurred in the head and neck in south Italy with 17% at this site in the centre and 6% in the north. For soft tissue sarcoma, the highest ASRs of 2.6 and 2.4 contrast with the lowest ASRs 1.1 and 1.3, suggesting high-risk hot spots that deserve further investigation. The marked variations in morphology distribution with site and geography suggest geographic variation in risk factors that may also repay further investigation particularly since sarcoma etiology is poorly understood.

Two Different Types of Sarcoma Occurring Synchronously: The Impact of Molecular Biology on Therapeutic Strategy

“…Sarcomas are rare tumors [ 1 ]; however, two different types, synchronously occurring sarcomas, at two different sites in the body, as proved by molecular biology, is an exceptional event justifying a specific therapeutic strategy. Well-differentiated liposarcoma (WD LPS) is a low-grade tumor composed of proliferating mature adipocytes [ 2 ].…”

“…One-third of sarcomas occur in the trunk, whereas 50% occurs in the extremities with more than 150 subtypes according to WHO classification [ 1 , 2 ]. Symptoms are usually nonspecific, such as pain, palpation of a lump, an increase of abdominal girth, and gastrointestinal obstruction by the mass effect.…”

Canady Cold Helios Plasma Reduces Soft Tissue Sarcoma Viability by Inhibiting Proliferation, Disrupting Cell Cycle, and Inducing Apoptosis: A Preliminary Report

“…Retroperitoneal STS tumors have the highest rate of positive microscopic margins (45%) compared to STS tumors of the head or neck (30%) and extremities (19%) [21]. Liposarcoma (LS), one of the most common STS subtypes [5,22], often occurs in the adipose tissue of the retroperitoneum as a low-grade tumor, also known as well-differentiated LS [23]. However, multiple local recurrences after inadequate resections can cause transition into a high-grade tumor with aggressive metastatic potential, i.e., dedifferentiated LS [23].…”

Intratumoral injection of holmium-166 microspheres as neoadjuvant therapy of soft tissue sarcomas in dogs

“…Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a heterogenous group of mesenchymal tumors with similar biological behavior but with distinct pathological characteristics (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). In the USA, STS is one of the five leading causes of cancer-related death in people under 39 years (6).…”