An institutional review of sarcomas of the large and small intestine.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study was done to review the institutional experience with the treatment of sarcoma of the small or large intestine. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-nine patients admitted between the years 1959 and 1987, with a diagnosis of sarcoma of the small or large bowel form the basis of this review. RESULTS: At referral, 74 percent of the patients presented with peritoneal sarcomatosis. Only six patients underwent complete resection. The overall five-year survival rate was 20 percent. Patients with low grade tumors had median and five-year survival rates of 33.3 months and 44 percent, respectively, while patients with high grade tumors had median and five-year survival rates of 22.4 months and zero percent, respectively, p = 0.01. Patients undergoing complete resection had a median survival period of 33.3 months, while patients receiving less than complete resection had a median survival period of 15.4 months, p = 0.003. Factors found to be significant by multifactorial analysis included tumor size, grade, stage at presentation, and invasion of adjacent organs. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcoma of the small and large bowel is an uncommon entity. Survival rates are relatively poor. Aggressive surgical intervention is the mainstay of therapy.