title: Fibrous soft tissue tumors: factors predictive of recurrence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fibrous soft tissue tumors (FSTT) of infancy and childhood present a challenge to surgeons due to ambiguous histological interpretation, propensity for local recurrence, and uncertainty regarding appropriate therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records were reviewed for patients diagnosed and treated for FSTT at our institution from 1992 to 2010. Data included demographics, tumor location, operative treatment, histopathology, margin status, mitotic index, and recurrence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty-six patients underwent treatment of FSTT. Mean follow-up time was 62 months (range 1 to 201 months). There were 11 recurrences (13%), with a mean time to recurrence of 23 months. Extremity and digital lesions were most likely to recur with 21% of such lesions recurring compared to 7% of lesions located elsewhere. Recurrences were seen more frequently in older children. Despite the presence of positive margins in 92% of cases, margin status, histopathology, and mitotic index were not significant predictors of recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Digital and extremity fibrous soft tissue tumors and tumors of older children have an increased risk for local recurrence. Margin status did not predict recurrence rates in this series. While the surgical goal is to obtain complete local resection with clear margins, this may be challenging in particular locations and may not ultimately impact recurrence.
authors: Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA. Jennifer.aldrink@nationwidechildrens.org
authors: Jennifer H
authors: JH
authors: Aldrink
authors: Kathleen
authors: K
authors: Nicol
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Wang
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Teich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005350:Fibroma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014747:Vinblastine; D016190:Carboplatin; D008727:Methotrexate