Kiran Turaga, MD, MPH, surgical oncologist, University of Chicago Cancer Center, discusses the current surgical setting of sarcoma.

Although surgical resection remains standard for patients with retroperitoneal sarcomas, Turaga says, the concept of compartmental resection is being explored once again.

Recently, adjuvant systemic chemotherapy was explored in patients with sarcomas, but the data was not strong for sarcomas as a group, says Turaga. There does seem to be benefits in some subgroups, such as leiomyosarcoma.

Additionally, the recent investigation into the use of multi-receptor TKIs, such as pazopanib (Votrient), is interesting, Turaga says.

Videos

Dr. Turaga Discusses Current Surgical Setting of Sarcoma

Kiran Turaga, MD, MPH, surgical oncologist, University of Chicago Cancer Center, discusses advancements in the field of sarcoma.

Both phylogeneticaly and evolutionarily sarcomas can now be classified into broad groups.

They used to be classified by histology; if they are more like muscles or rhabdomyosarcoma, or they are more like fats or liposarcomas. However, it is now understood that there are certain groups of sarcomas that are closer to each other, versus certain groups of sarcomas that are further apart, says Turaga. By grouping these tumors together, it is easier to understand how to treat them.

There have also been advances in imaging, especially diffusion-weighted imaging for retroperitoneal sarcomas, says Turaga.

Diffusion-weighted imaging relies on the water content of cells and improves the ability to detect some areas of malignancy and potentially guide biopsies and pretreatment paradigms.

Kiran Turaga, MD, MPH, surgical oncologist, University of Chicago Cancer Center, discusses advancements in the field of sarcoma.
 

Dr. Kiran Turaga on Advancements in Classification, Imaging in Sarcoma

Kiran Turaga, MD, MPH, surgical oncologist, University of Chicago Cancer Center, discuses regional therapies in melanoma.

The application of regional therapies for melanoma has been proven to be a very effective treatment for intransit melanoma, says Turaga.

Regional therapies for melanoma include isolated limb infusions and isolated limb perfusions. Isolated limb infusions are an attractive option because they are percutaneous, minimally invasive, and patients can go home quickly after treatment, says Turaga. The compete response rates ranges from 40 to 70%. A meta analysis looking at regional therapies for melanoma found that the overall survival in this population was about 41 months.

Questions remain regarding how to integrate immune modulating agents along with regional therapies for melanoma.

Kiran Turaga, MD, MPH, surgical oncologist, University of Chicago Cancer Center, discuses regional therapies in melanoma.
 

Kiran Turaga, MD, MPH

Articles

Dr. Turaga Discusses Current Surgical Setting of Sarcoma

Dr. Kiran Turaga on Advancements in Classification, Imaging in Sarcoma

Dr. Kiran Turaga on Regional Therapies in Melanoma