Histopathological grade and response to chemotherapy in advanced soft tissue sarcomas.
In a retrospective analysis, we evaluated the possible significance of histopathological grade with regard to response to chemotherapy in advanced soft tissue sarcomas. In three EORTC protocols, the same dose-schedule was used for patients randomised to treatment with doxorubicin as a single agent (75 mg/m2 every third week). The submitted pathological slides from 94 of these patients were reviewed and graded. The following parameters were subjectively graded (+/++/+ + +): nuclear pleomorphism, necrosis, cellularity and vascularity. Mitoses were counted in 20 high-power fields, and a final grade assigned as I, II, IIIA or IIIB. The results were tested both with regard to response (complete response + partial response vs. no change + progressive disease) and survival. However, no statistically significant correlations or trends could be demonstrated. Thus, tumour grade, although a prognostic factor by itself, does not seem to be able to predict response to chemotherapy in the advanced stage.
Daugaard
S
S
Department of Pathology, Frederiksberg Hospital, Denmark.
von Glabbeke
M
M
Schiødt
T
T
Mouridsen
H T
HT
D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008938:Mitosis; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*
D004317:Doxorubicin