Adult-type soft tissue sarcomas in paediatric age: A nomogram-based prognostic comparison with adult sarcoma

IntroductionThe study compares the outcome of paediatric patients with adult-type soft tissue sarcomas with that reported for adults, taking into account the effect of established prognostic factors.MethodsThe actual mortality of our series was compared with that predicted by the nomogram developed for adults at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. From a previously-published series of 182 patients <18 years, 112 cases fulfilling the criteria for the nomogram application were selected.ResultsActual 10-year mortality for the series was 29%, compared with a 16% predicted mortality. The effect of individual covariates was qualitatively consistent with that of adults, but the unfavourable prognostic effect of tumour size was stronger in paediatric cases.ConclusionThe variables known to have a prognostic role in adults are relevant also in children. The worse outcome observed in our series might be explained by the stronger adverse effect of tumour size in young patients.