StayCurrentMD · Sacrococcygeal Tumors: APSA Prenatal Counseling Series
Guideline8 min read·Published Jan 2020Older

Sacrococcygeal Tumors: APSA Prenatal Counseling Series

Guideline · Jan 2020 · 8 min read

In brief

In brief

APSA Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Committee guidance on prenatal counseling for sacrococcygeal tumors. Provides evidence-based information for discussing diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options, and delivery planning with expectant families.

  • Sacrococcygeal tumors occur in 1:27-40,000 live births, are 4x more common in females, and carry 15-35% mortality when diagnosed prenatally.
  • Tumor volume to fetal weight ratio (TFR) >0.12 predicts 80% hydrops incidence and 60% mortality; close monitoring for high-output cardiac failure is critical.
  • Fetal MRI and echocardiography are essential for assessing tumor vascularity, cardiac output, and intrapelvic extent to guide delivery planning and fetal intervention.
  • Cesarean delivery is recommended for large tumors to prevent dystocia and tumor rupture; small tumors may allow vaginal delivery.
  • Multidisciplinary fetal center referral (surgery, neonatology, MFM, genetics) is indicated for prenatal counseling and coordinated postnatal resection planning.

Written by the GCMD Library team from the guideline.

Overview and Classification of Sacrococcygeal Tumors

Sacrococcygeal tumors occur in 1:27-40,000 live births, are four times more common in females, and arise from totipotent stem cells in the coccyx. They are classified into four anatomic types and are generally benign in fetal/early neonatal life. Prenatally diagnosed SCTs carry 15-35% mortality, three times higher than postnatally diagnosed cases, with 15-30% having associated congenital defects.

Initial Evaluation and Prenatal Diagnosis

Multidisciplinary evaluation at a fetal center includes detailed ultrasound with amniotic fluid assessment, fetal MRI, and fetal echocardiogram. Amniocentesis for karyotype is not routinely recommended as aneuploidy is not associated with isolated SCT. Close monitoring for polyhydramnios and high-output cardiac failure is essential throughout pregnancy.

Imaging Characteristics and Differential Diagnosis

Ultrasound with color Doppler evaluates tumor size, vascularity, solid/cystic components, and markers of hydrops including cardiac/thoracic ratio and umbilical artery Doppler. MRI further defines anatomic relationships, intrapelvic/intraspinal extension, and hemorrhagic changes. Differential diagnosis includes myelomeningocele, dermoid, lipoma, and neuroblastoma.

Prognostic Indicators

Tumor volume to fetal weight ratio (TFR) is calculated as total tumor volume divided by estimated fetal weight and is the most important prognostic indicator. TFR >0.12 is associated with 80% incidence of hydrops and 60% mortality, while TFR <0.12 correlates with 100% survival. Other poor prognostic factors include solid morphology, high vascularity, fetal hydrops, and significant spinal canal invasion.

Prenatal Counseling and Delivery Planning

Management options include termination (if <24 weeks), continued surveillance with serial ultrasound and echocardiography, or fetal intervention for selected high-risk cases. Delivery mode depends on tumor size: vaginal delivery is acceptable for small tumors, while cesarean section is recommended for tumors >5cm to prevent hemorrhage or dystocia.

Fetal Intervention Strategies

Fetal intervention is reserved for fetuses <26 weeks at specialized centers and aims to reduce tumor vascular supply through various techniques including cyst decompression, open debulking, EXIT-to-resection, or vascular flow interruption. Survival following intervention ranges from 38-75%, compared to <10% survival in hydropic fetuses without intervention. Post-intervention management includes continued surveillance, betamethasone for anticipated preterm delivery, and cesarean delivery.

Postnatal Management and Follow-up

Postoperative surveillance includes physical examination with digital rectal exam and AFP levels every 3 months until at least 3 years of age. Type III and IV tumors carry higher risk of urinary and fecal incontinence requiring specialized clinic follow-up.

Statements in this guideline

  1. Sacrococcygeal tumors have a prevalence of 1:27-40,000 live births.

    EstablishedSacrococcygeal Tumors
  2. Incidence of sacrococcygeal tumors is 4 times more common in females.

    EstablishedSacrococcygeal Tumors
  3. Prenatally diagnosed SCTs have 3 times the mortality rate compared to postnatally diagnosed neonates with a mortality rate ranging from 15-35%.

    ResearchSacrococcygeal Tumors
  4. Approximately 15-30% of sacrococcygeal tumors have associated congenital defects including nervous, cardiac, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and musculoskeletal.

    ResearchSacrococcygeal Tumors
  5. Referral to a fetal center should be considered for a multidisciplinary consultation with surgery, neonatology, genetics and maternal fetal medicine.

    RecommendationInitial Evaluation
  6. Amniocentesis is not recommended for karyotype analysis unless there are multiple anomalies, advanced maternal age or if fetal surgery is indicated.

    RecommendationInitial Evaluation
  7. Close follow up and monitoring for the development of polyhydramnios and/or high output cardiac failure is recommended.

    RecommendationInitial Evaluation
  8. Increased descending aortic blood flow is defined as >120cm/s.

    EstablishedUltrasound and Color Doppler
  9. Increased diameter of inferior vena cava is defined as >1cm.

    EstablishedUltrasound and Color Doppler
  10. Normal combined cardiac output is 550 ml/min/kg.

    EstablishedFetal Echocardiography
  11. Tumor volume to fetal weight ratio (TFR) equals total tumor volume divided by estimated fetal weight.

    EstablishedTumor Volume to Fetal Weight Ratio
  12. TFR >0.12 is associated with 80% incidence of hydrops and 60% mortality rate.

    ResearchPredictors of Poor Prognosis
  13. TFR <0.12 is associated with 100% survival.

    ResearchPredictors of Poor Prognosis
  14. Standard prenatal care should be continued with frequent serial ultrasound scans and echocardiographic surveillance.

    RecommendationPrenatal Counseling
  15. Small tumors can be delivered vaginally.

    RecommendationPrenatal Counseling
  16. Cesarean delivery is recommended in larger tumors (>5cm) to avoid tumor-induced hemorrhage or dystocia.

    RecommendationPrenatal Counseling
  17. Fetal intervention for SCTs should be performed at highly specialized fetal centers to guarantee best maternal and fetal outcomes.

    RecommendationFetal Intervention
  18. Fetal interventions have been reserved for those fetuses <26 weeks gestational age.

    RecommendationFetal Intervention
  19. For fetuses presenting >27 weeks, the morbidity of fetal intervention must be weighed against the risk of early delivery and postnatal resection.

    RecommendationFetal Intervention
  20. Trans-abdominal and transvaginal aspirations of large cysts may be considered to facilitate delivery.

    RecommendationFetal Intervention
  21. Survival following SCT interventions have ranged from 38-75%.

    ResearchFetal Intervention
  22. Survival in hydropic SCT patients not undergoing fetal intervention is likely < 10%.

    ResearchFetal Intervention
  23. Open fetal surgery for debulking of SCT is indicated for high-risk SCT with evidence of impending high-output cardiac failure, absence of maternal risk factors for anesthesia and surgery, and singleton pregnancy with normal karyotype analysis.

    RecommendationFetal Intervention
  24. Gestational age for open fetal surgery should ideally be less than 26 weeks, with favorable anatomy (classification type I or II).

    RecommendationFetal Intervention
  25. EXIT-to-Resection is an approach utilized to manage high risk SCTs that are at risk of rupture with exsanguination presenting after 32 weeks' gestation.

    RecommendationFetal Intervention
  26. Delivery by Cesarean section is done for impending preterm labor following fetal surgery.

    RecommendationFetal Intervention
  27. Postoperative surveillance includes physical examination including digital rectal exam and AFP levels every 3 months until at least 3 years of age with imaging if indicated.

    RecommendationPostnatal Considerations
  28. Type III and IV tumors have a higher risk of urinary and fecal incontinence and should be followed in specialized clinics.

    RecommendationPostnatal Considerations
Full text

American Pediatric Surgical Association Prenatal Counseling Series Sacrococcygeal Tumors from the Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Committee of the American Pediatric Surgical Association Editor-in-Chief: Ahmed I. Marwan, MD Special thanks to: Amanda Jensen, MD, Erin Perrone, MD, and Jill Stein, MD ©2018, American Pediatric Surgical Association

American Pediatric Surgical Association Prenatal Counseling Series Sacrococcygeal Tumors Sacrococcygeal Tumors • Sacrococcygeal tumors (SCT) are one of the most common congenital neoplasms of the newborn period with a prevalence of 1:27-40,000 live births. • They arise from a totipotent stem cell in the coccyx (Henson’s node) and are generally benign in fetal and early neonatal life. • Incidence is 4 times more common in females. • Sacrococcygeal tumors are classified into four categories : • Complications related to prenatally diagnosed SCTs may include polyhydramnios, fetal cardiac failure, fetal hydrops, placentomegaly, maternal mirror syndrome, tumor hemorrhage and prematurity. • Prenatally diagnosed SCTs have 3 times the mortality rate compared to postnatally diagnosed neonates with a mortality rate ranging from 15-35%. • Approximately 15-30% have associated congenital defects including nervous, cardiac, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and musculoskeletal. • Local abnormalities such as rectovaginal fistula, urethro-vaginal fistula, urethral atresia and imperforate anus are directly related to tumor growth. 2

American Pediatric Surgical Association Prenatal Counseling Series Sacrococcygeal Tumors Sagittal MRI images of a fetus with a large pre sacral mass composed of mixed cystic and solid components. The majority of the mass is exophytic with a small component located within the pelvis (type 1). Color Doppler ultrasound image shows internal blood flow within the solid components of the mass. Images courtesy of Jill Stein, MD - Colorado Fetal Care Center Initial Evaluation • Referral to a fetal center should be considered for a multidisciplinary consultation with surgery, neonatology, genetics and maternal fetal medicine • Detailed obstetrical ultrasound with amniotic fluid index • Consider fetal MRI • Fetal echocardiogram • Aneuploidy has not been reported with SCT . Amniocentesis is not recommended for karyotype analysis unless there are multiple anomalies, advanced maternal age or if fetal surgery is indicated • Close follow up and monitoring for the development of polyhydramnios and/or high output cardiac failure Prenatal Diagnosis Typically diagnosed by finding a mass on routine ultrasound. 3

American Pediatric Surgical Association Prenatal Counseling Series Sacrococcygeal Tumors Ultrasound and Color Doppler Sacrococcygeal tumors are sonographically seen as large, heterogenous masses due to their different tissue components. Important features to consider include size, location, solid and cystic areas and septation, vascular supply and calcifications. • Detailed anatomy • Amniotic fluid index • Cardiac/thoracic ratio • Increased descending aortic blood flow (>120cm/s) • Increased diameter of inferior vena cava (>1cm) • Umbilical artery Doppler systolic to diastolic (S/D) ratio. • Placental thickness • Important markers of hydrops fetalis include the presence of ascites, pleural or pericardial effusions and skin or scalp edema • Tumor Volume to Fetal Weight Ratio Differential Diagnosis of an SCT • Lumbosacral myelomeningocele • Dermoid • Lipoma • Neuroblastoma • Other malformations of the sacrococcygeal region Fetal Echocardiography • Detailed cardiac anatomy • Combined cardiac output measurement (normal combined cardiac output is 550 ml/min/kg) • Cardiac/thoracic ratio • Descending aortic blood flow • Inferior vena cava diameter • Umbilical artery Doppler systolic to diastolic (S/D) ratio. Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging • MRI can further determine size of mass, anatomic relations, impact on other pelvic structures, hemorrhagic changes and intrapelvic or intraspinal extent of mass. • MRI may also be helpful in operative fetal surgery planning. • Useful in cystic SCT cases to differentiate them from myelomeningocele 4

American Pediatric Surgical Association Prenatal Counseling Series Sacrococcygeal Tumors Sagittal MR and ultrasound images show a large mixed cystic and solid presacral mass that is primarily external (type 1). Dark foci scattered within the mass on the MRI image suggests calcification and/or hemorrhage. Images courtesy of Jill Stein, MD - Colorado Fetal Care Center Tumor Volume to Fetal Weight Ratio • Tumor volume to fetal weight ratio (TFR)= total tumor volume / estimated fetal weight • Is an important prognostic indicator for SCT and is calculated using greatest length, width and height measured of the tumor by US or MRI and fetal weight calculated by US using Hadlock formula Predictors of Poor Prognosis • Solid tumor morphology • Significant spinal canal invasion as risk for paraplegia • Presence of fetal hydrops – placentomegaly – maternal mirror syndrome • Tumor with high vascularity • A phase of unpredictable rapid growth of SCT • High output cardiac failure • TFR >0.12 associated with 80% incidence of hydrops and 60% mortality rate while TFR <0.12 associated with 100% survival 5

American Pediatric Surgical Association Prenatal Counseling Series Sacrococcygeal Tumors Prenatal Counseling • Standard prenatal care should be continued with frequent serial ultrasound scans and echocardiographic surveillance. • Depending on complete clinical picture, families are counseled on the options of: 1. termination of pregnancy if GA is <24 weeks or per local state regulation 2. continued standard prenatal care with US scans and echocardiographic surveillance 3. possible fetal intervention if fetus and mother fit criteria • Mode of delivery: determined by the size of the tumor 1. Small tumors can be delivered vaginally. 2. Cesarean delivery is recommended in larger tumors (>5cm) to avoid tumor-induced hemorrhage or dystocia. Fetal Intervention Fetal intervention for SCTs should be performed at highly specialized fetal centers to guarantee best maternal and fetal outcomes. Fetal interventions have been reserved for those fetuses <26 weeks gestational age. For fetuses presenting >27 weeks, the morbidity of fetal intervention must be weighed against the risk of early delivery and postnatal resection. The goal of fetal surgery for SCT is to reduce vascular supply to the tumor through vascular occlusion, to remove the low-resistance tumor vascular bed from fetal circulation to reduce morbidity and mortality related to the SCT and to allow for continued fetal development prior to delivery. Fetal interventions for SCT have included cyst decompression, open fetal surgery for debulking of SCT , EXIT -to-resection and vascular flow interruption via fetoscopic laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation or interstitial ablation +/- vascular coiling. • Trans-abdominal and transvaginal aspirations of large cysts may be considered to facilitate delivery. Cyst decompression may assist with maternal discomfort, and cyst-amniotic shunts may relieve bladder outlet obstruction. 6

American Pediatric Surgical Association Prenatal Counseling Series Sacrococcygeal Tumors Sagittal and coronal MR images demonstrate a large presacral mass that is primarily cystic with internal septation. The internal portion of the mass is larger than the external portion (type 3). There is resultant mass effect with obstruction of the renal collecting systems as demonstrated by dilated renal calyces, pelves and ureters. The urinary bladder is compressed. Images courtesy of Jill Stein, MD - Colorado Fetal Care Center • Survival following SCT interventions have ranged from 38-75%. However, survival in hydropic SCT patients not undergoing fetal intervention is likely < 10%. • Open fetal surgery for debulking of SCT: High-risk SCT with evidence of impending high- output cardiac failure – absence of maternal risk factors for anesthesia and surgery – and singleton pregnancy with normal karyotype analysis 1. Gestational age ideally less than 26 weeks, and favorable anatomy (classification type I or II). • EXIT-to-Resection: is an approach utilized to manage high risk SCTs that are at risk of rupture with exsanguination presenting after 32 weeks’ gestation. • Post Fetal Surgery Considerations: Continued surveillance with US and echo. Betamethasone in anticipation of preterm delivery. Delivery by Cesarean section is done for impending preterm labor. Postnatal Considerations • Postoperative surveillance: physical examination including digital rectal exam and AFP levels every 3 months until at least 3 years of age with imaging if indicated • Type III and IV tumors have a higher risk of urinary and fecal incontinence and should be followed in specialized clinics 7

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