Validation and adaptation of a nomogram for predicting the survival of patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma using a three-grade system Journal Article


Authors: Mariani, L.; Miceli, R.; Kattan, M. W.; Brennan, M. F.; Colecchia, M.; Fiore, M.; Casali, P. G.; Gronchi, A.
Article Title: Validation and adaptation of a nomogram for predicting the survival of patients with extremity soft tissue sarcoma using a three-grade system
Abstract: BACKGROUND. A nomogram for predicting long term tumor-specific death in patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) was developed at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). METHODS. To assess the performance of the MSKCC nomogram, 642 consecutive patients with extremity STS who underwent surgery over a 20-year span at a single referral center were analyzed. Nomogram predictions were based on tumor size, depth, site, patient age, histologic subtype, and grade. The latter, at variance with the system in use at the MSKCC, was classified as Grade 1-3 according to the French Federation of Cancer Centers Sarcoma Group (FNCLCC) system. The statistical approach used for nomogram performance assessment was that of "validation by calibration" proposed by Van Houwelingen. RESULTS. Graphic comparison of observed and predicted sarcoma-specific survival curves showed that predictions by the nomogram were quite accurate, within 10% of actual survival for all prognostic strata. Statistical analysis showed that such predictions could be improved by employing approximately 25% shrinkage to achieve good calibration. The contribution of histologic grade was highly significant in both univariate analysis (P < 0.001) and multivariate analysis (P < 0.001), and a survival trend across the 3 grade categories was observed. Based on those findings, a nomogram that included the FNCLCC histologic grade classification was produced. CONCLUSIONS. Results of the current study confirmed that the MSKCC nomogram is a valuable tool for individual prognostic assessment. A nomogram that included the FNCLCC histologic grade classification was proposed and was validated internally. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Keywords: adolescent; adult; cancer survival; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; survival analysis; survival rate; major clinical study; validation process; neoplasm staging; cancer grading; sensitivity and specificity; cohort studies; tumor volume; proportional hazards models; calibration; prediction; sarcoma; statistical analysis; fibrosarcoma; nomograms; predictive value of tests; limb tumor; soft tissue sarcoma; multivariate analysis; age distribution; kaplan meier method; leiomyosarcoma; malignant fibrous histiocytoma; peripheral nerve tumor; nomogram; soft tissue neoplasms; performance; liposarcoma; sex distribution; italy
Journal Title: Cancer
Volume: 103
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0008-543X
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell  
Date Published: 2005-01-15
Start Page: 402
End Page: 408
Language: English
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.20778
PUBMED: 15578681
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 42" - "Export Date: 24 October 2012" - "CODEN: CANCA" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Murray F Brennan
    1059 Brennan
  2. Michael W Kattan
    218 Kattan