Locally aggressive connective tissue tumors Journal Article


Authors: Gounder, M. M.; Thomas, D. M.; Tap, W. D.
Article Title: Locally aggressive connective tissue tumors
Abstract: In this review, we highlight the complexities of the natural history, biology, and clinical management of three intermediate connective tissue tumors: desmoid tumor (DT) or aggressive fibromatosis, tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) or diffuse-type pigmented villonodular synovitis (dtPVNS), and giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB). Intermediate histologies include tumors of both soft tissue and bone origin and are locally aggressive and rarely metastatic. Some common aspects to these tumors are that they can be locally infiltrative and/or impinge on critical organs, which leads to disfigurement, pain, loss of function and mobility, neurovascular compromise, and occasionally life-threatening consequences, such as mesenteric, bowel, ureteral, and/or bladder obstruction. DT, PVNS, and GCTB have few and recurrent molecular aberrations but, paradoxically, can have variable natural histories. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended for optimal management. In DT and PVNS, a course of observation may be appropriate, and any intervention should be guided by symptoms and/or disease progression. A surgical approach should take into consideration the infiltrative nature, difficulty in obtaining wide margins, high recurrence rates, acute and chronic surgical morbidities, and impact on quality of life. There are similar concerns with radiation, which especially relate to optimal field and transformation to high-grade radiation-associated sarcomas. Systemic therapies must be considered carefully in light of acute and chronic toxicities. Although standard and novel therapies are promising, many unanswered questions, such as duration of therapy and optimal end points to evaluate efficacy of drugs in clinical practice and trials, exist. Predictive biomarkers and novel clinical trial end points, such as volumetric measurement, magnetic resonance imaging T2 weighted mapping, nuclear imaging, and patient-reported outcomes, are in development and will require validation in prospective trials. Copyright © 2018 American Society of Clinical Oncology. All rights reserved.
Keywords: review; systemic therapy; imatinib; tumor localization; desmoid tumor; futurology; randomized controlled trial (topic); phase 2 clinical trial (topic); denosumab; connective tissue tumor; osteoclastoma; human; priority journal; emactuzumab; pexidartinib; giant cell tumor of tendon sheath
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical Oncology
Volume: 36
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0732-183X
Publisher: American Society of Clinical Oncology  
Date Published: 2018-01-10
Start Page: 202
End Page: 209
Language: English
DOI: 10.1200/jco.2017.75.8482
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 29220303
PMCID: PMC6804876
DOI/URL:
Notes: Review -- Export Date: 1 February 2018 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Mrinal M Gounder
    228 Gounder
  2. William Douglas Tap
    372 Tap