Summary of Program
Retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS) comprise 15% of all soft tissue sarcomas (cancers arising in the connective tissue). They are malignant and can grow considerably large within the abdomen and pelvis. These may present late with obstructive symptoms and pain dependent on the organ or structure it abuts or invades. Management of patients with RPS is especially challenging when malignant and involves any vital organs or structures. The therapeutic strategies include surgical resection/removal, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, or a combination of the three. The dilemma is choosing an appropriate treatment or combination of treatments, and in which order the optimal treatment should be delivered to elicit the best response. A significant prognostic factor influencing survival is local recurrence. Hence, this and other factors such as tumour grade, size and staging need to be taken into account when deciding the optimal advent treatment for patients with RPS.
In November 2020, the Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Research Program was established across RPAH and COBLH, with the overarching aim of establishing and maintaining an ongoing and comprehensive clinical and outcomes database (SPARC), nested into multiple research projects.
Highlights
- In October 2020, RPAH has commenced collaborating research with international institutions such as Transatlantic Australasian Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group (TARPSWG). The main aim of this collaboration is to evaluate current outcomes and evidence in the management of patients with primary, locally recurrent, and metastatic retroperitoneal sarcoma. Currently, RPAH and COBLH are involved in the RESAR study, which includes prospective collection of primary retroperitoneal sarcoma patient’s data, radiological and pathological material.
- From November 2020, the Retroperitoneal Research Program started the development of the Sarcoma of the Pelvis, Abdomen or Retroperitoneum Collaboration (SPARC) database for RPAH and COBLH. After receiving ethics approval in February 2021, prospective data collection commenced for all patients diagnosed with retroperitoneal sarcoma, and discussed at RPAH and COBLH multidisciplinary team meeting. The SPARC database now includes data for 144 patients. The data collected in the SPARC database includes extensive patient information, pathology, medical oncology, surgical and patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life.
- In mid-2021, a collaboration was established between RPAH, COBLH, the ProCan facility at Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead Hospital and The University of Sydney, to conduct the study titled ‘Proteomics in retroperitoneal intra-abdomino-pelvic extremity soft tissue sarcomas’. This study aims to identify a proteomic signature of relapse in patients with localised leiomyosarcoma at diagnosis. Recruitment is currently underway.
If you would like to get involved with our Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Research Program, submit an expression of interest HERE.