Isolated limb infusion for advanced soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity

Isolated limb infusion (ILI) is a minimally invasive technique for delivering high-dose regional chemotherapy. We report our experience with ILI for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma (STS).

From our prospective database, 21 patients with STS of the limb treated with ILI between 1994 and 2007 were identified. In all patients, a high-dose cytotoxic drug combination was used.

There were 14 men, and the median age was 60 years (range, 18-85 years). Eighteen patients (86%) had lower limb tumors. All patients had advanced local disease. The procedure was well tolerated. Fourteen patients (67%) received ILI before definitive surgery. The overall response rate was 90% (complete response [CR] rate 57%, partial response rate 33%). The disease-specific overall survival was 61.9% (median follow-up, 28 months). Only American Joint Committee on Cancer stage was associated with overall survival. The local recurrence rate was 42%. CR and malignant fibrous histiocytoma tumor subtype were associated with a lower local recurrence rate. A lower initial skin temperature (median 35.8 degrees C) was associated with a CR (P = .033). Patients who had a steep increase in intramuscular temperature during the procedure were more likely to have a CR (P = .055). Classification tree analysis identified patients with an initial PaO(2) of >/=194 mmHg as being more likely to have a CR. Ultimately, the overall limb salvage rate was 76%.

The outcomes after ILI are comparable to those achieved by conventional isolated limb perfusion. ILI is a minimally invasive alternative to isolated limb perfusion for patients with advanced STS of the extremity.