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

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.