Skip to main content
Log in

Resection of brain metastases from sarcoma

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
Annals of Surgical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background: Brain metastases from sarcoma are rare, and data concerning the treatment and results of therapy are sparse.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 25 patients with brain metastases from sarcoma of skeletal or soft-tissue origin, surgically treated in a single institution during 20 years.

Results: In 18 patients the brain lesion was located supratentorially, and in 7 patients infratentorially. Median age at brain metastasis diagnosis was 25 years. Median time from primary diagnosis to diagnosis of brain metastasis was 26.7 months. Lung metastases were present in 19 patients and in 8 patients they were synchronous with the brain lesion. Pulmonary metastases were resected in 12 patients (48% of total, and 63% of those with pulmonary lesions). The overall median survival from diagnosis of the primary sarcoma was 38 months and from craniotomy was 7 months. The presence or absence of lung lesions did not alter the median survival as calculated from diagnosis of brain metastasis. Overall percent survival was 40% at 1 year and 16% at 2 years.

Conclusions: Because brain metastases from sarcoma are refractory to alternative treatment, surgical excision is indicated when feasible. Brain metastases from sarcoma are uncommon, usually occurring with or after lung metastasis. Long-term survival is possible in some patients.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Cohen IJ. Significant recent advances in the treatment of osteogenic sarcoma.Isr J Med Sci 1993;29:748–53.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Donohue JH, Collin CH, Friedrich C, Godbold J, Hajdu SI, Brennan MF. Low-grade soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities: analysis of risk factors for metastasis.Cancer 1988;62:184–93.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Gadd MA, Casper SC, Woodruff JM, McCormack PM, Brennan MF. Development and treatment of pulmonary metastases in adult patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma.Ann Surg 1993;218:705–12.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Bevilacqua RG, Rogatko A, Hajdu SI, Brennan MF. Prognostic factors in primary retroperitoneal soft-tissue sarcomas.Arch Surg 1991;126:328–34.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Glasser DB, Lane JM, Huvos AG, Marcove RC, Rosen G. Survival, prognosis, and therapeutic response in osteogenic sarcoma: the Memorial Hospital experience.Cancer 1992;69:698–708.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Giuliano AE, Feig S, Eilber FR. Changing metastatic patterns of osteosarcoma.Cancer 1984;54:2160–4.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Bryant BM, Wiltshaw E. Central nervous system involvement in sarcoma: a presentation of 12 cases, a review of the literature, and a discussion of possible changing patterns with the use of chemotherapy, placing special emphasis on embryonal tumours.Eur J Cancer 1980;16:1503–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Weiss SW, Enzinger FM. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma: an analysis of 200 cases.Cancer 1978;41:2250–66.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Aronson SM, Garcia JH, Aronson BE. Metastatic neoplasms of the brain: their frequency in relation to age.Cancer 1964;17:558–63.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Posner JB, Chernak NL. Intracranial metastases from systemic cancer.Adv Neurol 1978;19:579–92.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Gercovich FG, Luna MA, Gottlieb JA. Increased incidence of cerebral metastases in sarcoma patients with prolonged survival from chemotherapy: report of cases of leiomyosarcoma and chondrosarcoma.Cancer 1975;36:1843–51.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Lieberman PH, Brennan MF, Kimmel M, Erlandson RA, Garin-Chesa P, Flehinger BY. Alveolar soft-part sarcoma: a clinico-pathologic study of half a century.Cancer 1989;63:1–13.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Ho KL. Sarcoma metastatic to the central nervous system: report of three cases and review of the literature.Neurosurgery 1979;5:44–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Sarno JB, Wiener L, Waxman M, Kwee J. Sarcoma metastatic to the central nervous system parenchyma: a review of the literature.Med Ped Oncol 1985;13:280–92.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Lewis AJ. Sarcoma metastatic to the brain.Cancer 1988;61:593–601.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Kaplan EL, Meier P. Nonparametric estimation from incomplete observations.J Am Stat Assoc 1958;53:457–81.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Peto R, Pike MC, Armitage P, et al. Design and analysis of randomized clinical trials requiring prolonged observations of each patient. II. Analysis and examples.Br J Cancer 1977;35:1–39.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Cox DR. Regression models and life tables.J R Stat Soc 1972;34:197–9.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Boring CC, Squires TS, Tong T, Montgomery S. Cancer statistics, 1994.CA 1994;44:7–26.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Sawaya R, Ligon BL, Bindal RK. Management of metastatic brain tumors.Ann Surg Oncol 1994;1:169–78.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Arbit E, Wroński M. The treatment of brain metastases.Q Neurosurg 1995;5:1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Bindal RK, Sawaya R, Leavens ME, Taylor SH, Guinee VF. Sarcoma metastatic to the brain: results of surgical treatment.Neurosurgery 1994;35:185–91.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Danzinger J, Wallace S, Handel SF, de Santos LA. Metastatic osteogenic sarcoma to the brain.Cancer 1979;43:707–10.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Graus F, Walker RW, Allen JC. Brain metastases in children.J Pediatr 1983;103:558–61.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Dahlin DC, Coventry MB. Osteosarcoma of bone and its important recognizable varieties.Am J Surg Pathol 1977;1:61–72.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Baram TZ, van Tassel P, Jaffe NA. Brain metastases in osteosarcoma: incidence, clinical and neuroradiological findings and management options.J Neurooncol 1988;6:47–52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Marina NM, Pratt CB, Shema SJ, Brooks T, Rao B, Meyer WH. Brain metastases in osteosarcoma: report of a long-term survivor and review of the St. Jude Children's research experience.Cancer 1993;71:3656–60.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Dahlin CD, Unni KK.Bone tumors. General aspects and data on 8542 cases. Springfield: CC Thomas, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Trigg ME, Makuch R, Glaubiger D. Actuarial risk of isolated CNS involvement in Ewing's sarcoma following prophylactic cranial irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate.Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1985;11:699–702.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Kulick SA, Mones RJ. The neurological complications of Ewing's sarcoma: incidence of neurological involvement and value of radiotherapy.Mt Sinai J Med (NY) 1970;37:40–59.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Mehta Y, Hendrickson FR. CNS involvement in Ewing's sarcoma.Cancer 1974;33:859–62.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Kies MS, Kennedy PS. Central nervous system involvement in Ewing's sarcoma.Ann Intern Med 1978;89:226–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Sonntag VKH, Stein BM. Intracerebral Ewing's sarcoma: case report.Neurosurgery 1978;2:55–7.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Trigg ME, Glaubiger D, Nesbit ME. The frequency of isolated CNS involvement in Ewing's sarcoma.Cancer 1982;49:2404–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Simpson RK, Bruner JM, Leavens ME. Metastatic Ewing's sarcoma to the brain: case report and review of treatment.Surg Neurol 1989;31:234–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Mineura K, Yasuda T, Suda Y, Kowada M, Shishido F, Uemura K. Ewing's sarcoma with intracranial metastasis presenting depressed cerebral blood flow and metabolism in the contralateral gray matter.Comput Med Imag Graph 1989;13:185–90.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Marciani MG, Stefani N, Peroni L, Stefanini F, Tarantino U, Gigli GL, Floris R. Intracerebral metastasis in Ewing's sarcoma.Acta Neurol Belg 1990;90:149–156.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Çolak A, Berker M, Özcan OE, Erbengi A. CNS involvement in Ewing's sarcoma: a report of 12 cases.Acta Neurochir (Wien) 1991;113:48–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Olivi A, Donehower RC, Mann RB, Brem H. Solitary, isolated metastasis from Ewing's sarcoma to brain: case report.Surg Neurol 1991;35:239–43.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Baid BL, Tanwar RK, De S, Kotwal PP, Rath GK, Karak PK, Kochupillai V. Intracranial metastasis in Ewing's sarcoma.Indian J Pediatr 1992;59:125–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Kuo MF, Lin SM, Tu YK. Solitary cerebellar metastasis from Ewing's sarcoma: case report and review of the literature.Child's Nerv Syst 1993;9:428–30.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Talerman A. Chondrosarcoma with long-delayed metastasis of unusual distribution.J Pathol Bact 1967;93:348–50.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Clark JV, Maloney AFJ. Chondrosarcoma [Letter to the Editor].Arch Pathol 1974;98:69.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Templeton PA, Gellad FE, Wood C. Computed tomography of metastatic chondrosarcoma to the brain.J Comput Assist Tomogr 1985;9:829–30.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Niedeggen A, Weis J, Mertens R, Röther J, Bröcheler J. Unusually long survival time after resection and irradiation of a brain metastasis from osteosarcoma.Neurosurg Rev 1990;13:247–52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Sebring L, Nussbaum ES, Hall WA. Systemic chondrosarcoma with cerebral metastases: a new metastatic pattern? [Abstract]. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of American Association of Neurological Surgeons, San Francisco, 1992, p. 127.

  47. Enzinger FM, Weiss SW.Soft tissue tumors, 2nd ed. St. Louis: CV Mosby, 1988:269–300.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Kumar RV, Mukherjee G, Bhargava K. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of bone.J Surg Oncol 1990;44:166–70.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Kearney MM, Soule EH, Ivins JC. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma: a retrospective study of 167 patients.Cancer 1980;45:167.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Rosemberg S, Delmonte V, Nitrini R, Caramelli P. Brain metastasis of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lung.Clin Neuropathol 1993;12:59–62.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Epstein NE, Sundrani S, Rosenthal AD. Cerebral metastasis from malignant pulmonary fibrous histiocytoma: a case report.Pediatr Neurosci 1987;13:138–41.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Nikaido Y, Kawai S, Hisanaga M, Honda M, Maekawa M, Yuasa T, Hattori Y, et al. Malignant histiocytoma with brain metastasis: case report [In Japanese].Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 1986;26:628–33.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Grigor'ev BA, Orlov KK. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the neck with metastases to the brain [In Russian].Arkh Patol 1989;51:67–70.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Fujita A, Isai H, Kondo M, Minase T, Tagaki S, Sekine K. A case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of jejunal origin with marked response to cisplatin, ifosfamide and adriamycin [In Japanese].Gan To Kagaku Ryoho 1993;20:2053–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Nagashima T, Matsutani M, Kohno T, Sakai T, Koike M, Tanaka R, Kinoshita I. Metastatic intracerebral malignant fibrous histiocytoma from the lung [In Japanese].Gan No Rinsho 1985;31:1909–13.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Hiasa Y, Shimoyama T, Kitahori Y, Konishi N, Sakaguchi Y, Murata Y, Mikasa K, et al. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma with widespread metastasis and pulmonary cancer.Acta Pathol Jpn 1986;36:113–22.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Misonou J, Kanda M, Shishido T, Abe M, Miyake T, Kawamura T, Maekawa I, et al. An autopsy case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the mediastinum, presenting multiple metastases to the small intestine and to the brain—a rare case report with the review of literature.Gastroenterol Jpn 1990;25:746–52.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Sasaki J, Hayashi N, Nakamura S, Tsubokawa T, Sato S, Sawada T, Takizawa T. Metastatic brain tumor originating from the cardiac sarcoma [In Japanese].No Shinkei Geka (Surg Neurol) 1988;16:579–84.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Chu KM, Hsiang MCH, Wang DJ, Shieh SM. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the heart with cerebral metastasis: a transesophageal echocardiographic demonstration.Echocardiography 1989;6:517–9.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Itoyama Y, Nagahiro S, Seto H, Sueyoshi N, Kuratsu JI, Ushio Y. Brain metastasis from malignant histiocytoma of the heart: case report.Neurosurgery 1990;26:692–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Fu YM, Liu MY, Chiang YH, Sun MJ, Lin SZ. Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the heart with brain metastasis.J Surg Assoc Repub China 1992;25:1286–92.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Maruki C, Suzukawa K, Koike J, Sato K. Cardiac malignant fibrous histiocytoma metastasizing to the brain: development of multiple neoplastic cerebral aneurysms.Surg Neurol 1994;41:40–4.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Biegel JA, Perilongo G, Rorke LB, Parmiter AH, Emanuel BS. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the brain in a six-year-old girl.Genes Chrom Cancer 1992;4:309–13.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Hughes PM, Zammit-Maempel I, Hughes M, Johnson RJ. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma: an unusual presentation.Br J Radiol 1991;64:847–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Dal Canto M, Valsamis MP. Fibrosarcoma metastatic to the brain: an unusual case.Arch Pathol 1973;96:108–10.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Mata Gonzalez PR, Estades Ventura A, Vazquez Herrero C, Ruiz-Ocaña C. Dermatofibrosarcoma con metástasis en el cerebro: a propósito de un caso poco frecuente.Rev Clin Espan 1978;149:307–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Zucker DK, Katz R, Koto A, Horoupian DS. Sarcomas metastatic to the brain: case report of a metastatic fibrosarcoma, and review of literature.Surg Neurol 1978;9:177–80.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. Takamiya Y, Toya S, Iizaka Y, Otani M, Takenaka N, Imanishi T. Intracranial metastasis of soft tissue fibrosarcoma: case report.Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 1986;26:54–7.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Saris S, Vavoulis G, Linder J, Friedman A. Fibrosarcoma of the heart metastatic to the brain.Neurosurgery 1983;13:327–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Perry JR, Bilbao JM. Metastatic alveolar soft part sarcoma presenting as a dural-based cerebral mass.Neurosurgery 1994;34:168–70.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Lilehei KO, Kleinschmidt-DeMasters B, Mitchell DH, Spector E, Kruse CA. Alveolar soft part sarcoma: an unusually long interval between presentation and brain metastasis.Hum Pathol 1993;24:1030–4.

    Google Scholar 

  72. Ohashi H, Sakata K, Ueda K, Sakamoto T, Miwa M. Cerebral metastasis of alveolar soft-part sarcoma: report of a case of long postoperative survival.Arch Jpn Chir 1974;43:379–83.

    Google Scholar 

  73. Yamashita S, Gyoten T, Tsuda T, Kageyama T, Matsumoto K. A case of alveolar soft-part sarcoma with lung and cerebral metastasis [In Japanese].No Shinkei Geka (Neurol Surg) 1981;9:633–8.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Ueda S, Inazumi Y, Kawamura Y. Alveolar soft part sarcoma with brain metastasis: a case report [In Japanese].Gekashiryo 1967;9:556–9.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Ikeda T, Mogami A. Surgical treatment of recurrent cerebral metastatic tumors—a case of alveolar-soft part sarcoma [In Japanese].No Shinkei Geka (Neurol Surg) 1979;7:311–8.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Hays DM. Rhabdomyosarcoma.Clin Orthop 1993;289:36–49.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  77. LaQualgia MP. Extremity rhabdomyosarcoma: biological principles, staging, and treatment.Semin Surg Oncol 1993;9:510–9.

    Google Scholar 

  78. Douvin A, Autret A, Nidiaye IP. Métastase cérébrale d'un rhabdomyosarcome. Revue de la litérature a propos d'un cas.Dakar Med 1980;25:18–27.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Kleinert R, Beham A, Rosanelli G. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in a young female patient metastasizing to the brain.Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 1985;67:341–4.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Anderson-Ranberg F, Helmer-Hansen HB. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma with cerebral and cerebellar metastases and subarachnoidal bleeding: a case report.Clin Neuropathol 1987;6:120–2.

    Google Scholar 

  81. Tamatani S, Tanimura K, Kawamata M, Kurashima A, Furuta A, Ikuta F. A case of brain metastasis of rhabdomyosarcoma in a child [In Japanese].No Shinkei Geka (Neurol Surg) 1991;19:649–53.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Micaleff-Eynaud PD, Goulden NT, Langdale-Brown B, Eden TB, Steers JW. Intracerebral recurrence of primary intrathoracic rhabdomyosarcoma.Med Ped Oncol 1993;21:132–6.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Uyeno S, Arai H, Onuma T, Kikuchi A, Ichinohasama R. Brain metastasis of rhabdomyosarcoma with intratumourous hemorrhage: a case report and literature review.No Shinkei Geka (Neurol Surg) 1993;21:1125–30.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Brennan MF. Current management of soft tissue sarcoma [Invited commentary].Ann Surg 1993;217:II-V.

    Google Scholar 

  85. Springfield D. Liposarcoma.Clin Orthop 1993;289:50–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Fender FA. Liposarcoma—report of case with intracranial metastasis.Am J Pathol 1933;9:909–14.

    Google Scholar 

  87. Lu AT, Lee CO. Liposarcoma of chest wall with metastasis to the cerebrum.Bull Los Angeles Neurol Soc 1961;26:217–24.

    Google Scholar 

  88. Haft H, Wang GC. Metastatic liposarcoma of the brain with responses to chemotherapy: case report.Neurosurgery 1988;23:777–80.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Haykal HA, Wang AM, Zamani A. Leiomyosarcoma metastatic to the brain: CT features and review.AJNR 1987;8:911–2.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  90. Sato K, Kambra H, Hotta T. A case of leiomyosarcoma with fatal intracerebral metastasis (in Japanese).Seikagaku (Orthoped Surg) 1972;23:381–4.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. Feeney JF, Popek EJ, Bergman WC. Leiomyosarcoma metastatic to the brain: case report and literature review.Neurosurgery 1985;16:398–401.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  92. Wroński M, de Palma P, Arbit E. Leiomyosarcoma of the uterus metastatic to brain: a case report and a review of literature.Gynecol Oncol 1994;54:237–41.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  93. Kihlström L, Karlsson B, Lindquist C. Gamma knife for cerebral metastases: implications for survival based on 16 years experience.Stereotact Funct Neurosurg 1993;61(suppl 1):45–50.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  94. Mehta MP, Rozental JM, Levin AB, Mackie TR, Kubsad SS, Gehring MA, Kinsella TJ. Defining the role of radiosurgery in the management of brain metastases.Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1992;24:619–25.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Phillips MH, Stelzer KJ, Griffin TW, Mayberg MR, Winn HR. Stereotactic radiosurgery: a review and comparison of methods.J Clin Oncol 1994;12:1085–99.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  96. Flickinger JC, Kondziolka D, Lunsford LD, Coffey RJ, Goodman ML, Shaw EG, Hudgins WR, et al. A multi-institutional experience with stereotactic radiosurgery for solitary brain metastasis.Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1994;28:797–802.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  97. Loeffler JS, Alexander E III. Radiosurgery for the treatment of intracranial metastases. In: Alexander E III, Loeffler JS, Lunsford LD.Stereotactic radiosurgery. New York: Mc-Graw Hill, 1993:197–206.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wroński, M., Arbit, E., Burt, M. et al. Resection of brain metastases from sarcoma. Annals of Surgical Oncology 2, 392–399 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02306371

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02306371

Key Words

Navigation