Clinicopathological Profile and Real-World Survival Outcomes in Pure Uterine Sarcomas

TL;DR

This study examines survival and recurrence patterns in rare uterine sarcomas, identifying factors like tumor type and treatment that influence outcomes.

Contribution

The study provides real-world survival data and identifies clinicopathological factors affecting prognosis in pure uterine sarcomas.

Findings

Median overall and disease-free survival were 72 and 70 months, respectively.

Low-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas and early-stage tumors showed better survival outcomes.

Chemotherapy was associated with higher recurrence rates.

Abstract

Background

Pure uterine sarcomas are rare and biologically aggressive malignancies with diverse histologic subtypes and heterogeneous clinical behavior. Owing to their low incidence, prospective data guiding optimal management and prognostic stratification remain limited, particularly in real-world settings. Evaluating survival outcomes and recurrence patterns in institutional cohorts is essential to better understand prognostic factors, treatment associations, and disease behavior. This study aimed to analyze survival outcomes, recurrence patterns, and clinicopathological factors influencing prognosis in patients with uterine sarcoma treated at a tertiary care center.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 81 patients with histologically confirmed pure uterine sarcoma as treated during the 10-year period of 2011-2020. Carcinosarcoma was not included in this study. Clinical details, histologic subtype, stage, surgical and adjuvant treatments, recurrence, and survival outcomes were assessed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), and univariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with prognosis.

Results

The mean age at diagnosis was 48 years, and most patients were multiparous and postmenopausal. The most common histologic type was leiomyosarcoma (48.1%), followed by low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) (29.6%). Stage I was the most frequent (55.6%). About 32.1% received chemotherapy, 9.9% radiotherapy, and 7.4% hormonal therapy; half received no adjuvant treatment. Recurrence was observed in 44.4% of cases, most commonly involving the pelvis and lymph nodes, with the lungs and liver also affected. Median OS and DFS were 72 and 70 months, respectively. Patients with low-grade ESS and early-stage disease had better survival. Chemotherapy was associated with higher recurrence. Histologic subtype, stage, and adjuvant treatment significantly influenced outcomes.

Conclusion

Histologic subtype, disease stage, and type of adjuvant therapy were independently associated with survival and recurrence outcomes in our cohort of uterine sarcoma patients. Early-stage disease and low-grade tumors demonstrated more favorable survival patterns. Given the rarity and heterogeneity of uterine sarcomas, real-world survival analyses such as this study help refine prognostic stratification and inform individualized treatment strategies. These findings provide clinically relevant insights that may guide risk-adapted management in this challenging group of malignancies.

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