Contemporary radiotherapy for soft tissue sarcoma

This review will detail the role of radiotherapy in the management of soft tissue sarcoma. Particular emphasis will be given to its role as an adjuvant to surgical excision for local curative management. The addition of radiotherapy permits a tissue-conserving operation to be performed, which has functional and cosmetic advantages yet produces local control equivalent to more radical surgery alone. The review will consider the historical evolution of treatment up through recent and contemporary practice. The principles of use will be outlined using available evidence and, where this is lacking, it will be acknowledged with suggestions for improvement. Finally, a brief overview of some technical issues about radiotherapy will be provided.