Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma of the extremity and trunk: a retrospective cohort study of 166 cases in a large institution

BACKGROUND: An imperative need for better management strategies to improve the survival in patients with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS). METHODS: The retrospective analysis of clinicopathological data of 166 UPS patients, who have undergone surgical treatment in our hospital, was carried out from January 2005 to January 2018. Cox regression model and Kaplan-Meier method were employed to identify the relevant factors affecting the rate of local recurrence (LR), distant metastasis (DM), and overall survival (OS) via univariate and multivariate analysis. The P<0.05 were found to be statistically considerable. RESULTS: At the end of follow-up, the rate of LR, DM and OS in 166 UPS patients was 22.9% (38/166), 32.5% (54/166) and 75.3% (125/166) with a median follow-up time of 55 months. The existing study reveals that the UPS in trunk, tumor size ≥5 cm and R1/R2 resection margin are the prognostic markers of poor survival rate. Women are more susceptible to LR, and R1/R2 resection margin is significantly correlated with a high rate of LR. Old Patients (>60 years), the UPS in trunk and R1/R2 resection margin are susceptible to DM. CONCLUSIONS: R0 resection margin was an only independent favorable prognostic factor, which was correlated with LRFS, DMFS, and OS.