tumor necrosis
Percentage of dead tumor tissue, used to assess chemotherapy response in sarcomas.
Full Definition
Tumor necrosis refers to the percentage of dead or non-viable tumor tissue within a resected specimen, particularly important in assessing response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in bone and soft tissue sarcomas. The degree of necrosis is typically expressed as a percentage and is determined by histopathological examination of the entire resected specimen. In osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, good response is generally defined as ≥90% necrosis, while poor response is <90% necrosis. The percentage of tumor necrosis is a significant prognostic factor and may influence adjuvant treatment decisions.
Usage
Usage note: Always express as percentage and specify assessment method (e.g., histopathological examination).
In Context
- "Histological examination revealed 95% tumor necrosis following neoadjuvant chemotherapy." — Pathology report
- "Poor tumor necrosis (<90%) may indicate the need for alternative adjuvant protocols." — Multidisciplinary conference