Popliteal sarcomas

PubMed, the Internet portal of biomedical and life sciences literature, indexed an interesting article, entitled “Popliteal Sarcomas: Presentation, Prognosis and Limb Salvage” (Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2006 Aug 31). Authors are Pritsch T, Bickels J, Winberg T et al, from the Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Washington Cancer Institute, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC; The National Unit of Orthopedic Oncology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Georgetown University, Washington, DC; and the Pediatric and Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, USA. Soft tissue sarcomas of the popliteal fossa are rare diseases. The authors ascertained the mode of initial presentation, the rates of local recurrence and distant metastasis, and the morbidity and complications of limb salvage procedures by retrospective analyze of the data of 29 consecutive patients operated on between 1989 and 2003. Sixteen, five, and eight patients were diagnosed with high-, intermediate-, and low-grade tumors, respectively. Soft tissue sarcomas of the popliteal fossa have an atypical presentation. Limb salvage can be accomplished in most patients with low morbidity and good systemic and local control. To access the full abstract of the article, click here.