Clinical significance of radiofrequency ablation and metastasectomy in elderly patients with lung metastases from musculoskeletal sarcomas

BACKGROUND: The incidence of sarcoma diagnosed in the elderly population may be rising due to the increasing life expectancy. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of lung metastasectomy and radiofrequency (RF) ablation in elderly sarcoma patients (65 years or older) with lung metastases, compared with adult sarcoma patients younger than 65 years (20-64 years). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical efficacy of metastasectomy and lung RF ablation in sarcoma patients with lung metastases. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2010, lung metastases were detected in 66 adult patients with musculoskeletal sarcomas. Twenty-five patients with lung metastasis were elderly. Twelve of the 25 patients were treated with lung metastasectomy and/or RF ablation. In contrast, 41 patients were adult patients younger than 65 years. Twenty of these 41 patients were treated with lung metastasectomy and/or RF ablation. The 1 and 3-year survival rates after initial treatment for lung metastases were 81.8% and 38.4% in 12 elderly patients, respectively. Compared with the control group, the survival rate in the elderly patients was not significantly different. CONCLUSION: We conclude that elderly sarcoma patients with lung metastases should always be considered for either metastasectomy or RF ablation.