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Outcomes of Primary Colorectal Sarcoma: A National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) Review

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Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery Aims and scope

Abstract

Introduction

Primary colorectal sarcomas are a rare entity with anecdotally poor outcomes. We sought to inform surgeons, oncologists, and researchers of the characteristics and outcomes of these understudied and difficult-to-manage tumors.

Methods

The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) was queried for patients with pathologically confirmed primary sarcoma of the colon or rectum (1998–2012). Gastrointestinal stromal tumors were excluded. Unadjusted overall survival was reported using the Kaplan-Meier method. Patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma were used as a comparison cohort.

Results

Four hundred thirty-three patients with primary colorectal sarcoma were identified (57.5% leiomyosarcoma subtype). Median age was 63 [inter-quartile range 52, 75] years with 23.1% between the ages of 18 and 50 and 48.7% female. Majority of sarcomas were located in the colon (70.7%). When compared to 696,902 patients with adenocarcinoma, sarcoma patients were younger, had larger tumors, were more likely node negative and rectal in location, and higher grade (all p < 0.001), while sex, race, and comorbidity score were similar (all p > 0.05). Overall survival was lower at 5 years in patients with sarcoma (43.8%) than adenocarcinoma (52.3%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Primary colorectal sarcomas are rare and present at a younger age and higher grade than adenocarcinoma of the colon and rectum. Survival is significantly worse compared to adenocarcinoma patients.

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Acknowledgements

The Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery provided support for this work.

Author Contribution

All authors contributed to the study design and interpretation of the data. Thiels, Bergquist, Habermann, and Cima contributed to the data acquisition and analysis. All authors contributed to the drafting, critical review, and final approval of the manuscript and agree to be held accountable for all aspects of the work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Cornelius A. Thiels, John R. Bergquist & Adam C. Krajewski

  2. Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Healthcare Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Cornelius A. Thiels, John R. Bergquist & Elizabeth B. Habermann

  3. Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

    Hee Eun Lee

  4. Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. Southwest, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Heidi Nelson, Kellie L. Mathis & Robert R. Cima

Authors
  1. Cornelius A. Thiels
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  2. John R. Bergquist
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  3. Adam C. Krajewski
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  4. Hee Eun Lee
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  5. Heidi Nelson
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  6. Kellie L. Mathis
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  7. Elizabeth B. Habermann
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  8. Robert R. Cima
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert R. Cima.

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The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.

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Thiels, C.A., Bergquist, J.R., Krajewski, A.C. et al. Outcomes of Primary Colorectal Sarcoma: A National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) Review. J Gastrointest Surg 21, 560–568 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-016-3347-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-016-3347-0

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