Epithelioid sarcoma. Diagnosis, prognostic indicators, and treatment.

A retrospective review of 241 cases of epithelioid sarcoma reaffirmed the propensity of this tumor to occur in the distal extremities of young adults. The tumor was generally firm and nontender, and involved the dermis, subcutis or deeper soft tissues, particularly fascial planes, aponeuroses, and tendon sheaths. Follow-up data, available in 202 cases (84%), showed a 77% recurrence and a 45% metastatic rate. The most common initial sites of metastasis were lymph nodes (48%) and lungs (25%). A more aggressive course was associated with a proximal or axial tumor location, increased size and depth, hemorrhage, mitotic figures, necrosis, or the presence of vascular invasion. More favorable behavior was observed when the tumor arose in younger individuals, in distal extremities, or in females between the ages of 10 and 49. (The last observation calls for further work with steroid receptors.) Radical excision or amputation still appears to be the initial treatment of choice, though adjunctive high-dose radiotherapy to the excision site may prove to be of additional value.