Surgical Advances in Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma: 50 Years of Progress

Abstract

As the American Society of Clinical Oncology celebrates its 50th anniversary, physicians can appreciate the significant advances made in the treatment of patients with sarcoma. Historically, these rare tumors have garnered great interest in the medical profession, due to their ability to reach extraordinary size, resulting in substantial deformities and disabilities. Fortunately, advances in surgical management, which have occurred concurrently with advances in imaging, diagnostic techniques, and both local and systemic adjuvant treatments, offer patients diagnosed with sarcoma significant hope for successful treatment and the expectation of a meaningful quality of life.KEY POINTSAdvances in the surgical management of sarcoma have occurred as the result of improved understanding of tumor biology, relevant surgical anatomy and by the ability to visualize tumors through advanced imaging techniques.Improved methods of reconstruction following surgical resection has led to wide spread acceptance of limb sparing surgery with improved functional outcomes and survival rates comparable to amputation.Significant advances have occurred in endoprosthetic reconstruction, addressing unique challenges encountered in anatomically complex locations as well as in patients who are skeletally immature.Effective systemic and local adjuvant treatments offer patients diagnosed with sarcoma significant hope for successful treatment and the expectation of a meaningful quality of life.Despite these advances, overall patient survival has remained unchanged since the 1980s. New approaches, such as targeted treatment of molecular pathways specific to sarcoma cells, offer hope for improved patient survival and new opportunities for surgeons to help patients live with this complex disease.