[Limb perfusion in soft tissue sarcomas: twenty years of experience]

To evaluate the long-term results of 20 years of experience with isolated limb perfusion (ILP) with tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and melphalan, followed by surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy, for the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities.

Retrospective cohort study.

From 1991 to 2011, 113 patients with primary irresectable soft tissue sarcomas underwent 117 ILPs at the University Medical Centre Groningen. 96 ILPs (82%) were performed in the lower limb, and 21 (18%) in the upper limb. The dosages used were 1-4 mg TNF-α and 10-13 mg/l melphalan.

After a median follow up of 8 (range 2-15) weeks after ILP, 107 tumours were resected: 81 (76%) of the resection margins were tumor-free. After the resection, 69 patients (61%) received adjuvant radiotherapy. In total, 85 ILPs resulted in a tumoural response; 16 patients (14%) developed a local recurrence and after 46 treatments (39%), distant metastases had developed. After a median follow-up of 51 months, the limb had been spared in 88 patients (78%). The 10- year disease-specific survival was 53.8%. There was a median follow-up period of 76 months (range: 7-234); still alive at the end of this period were 56 patients (50%). A total of 83 perfusion- or resection-related complications occurred from 58 ILPs (50%): 55 (66%) early and 28 (34%) late treatment-related complications. None of the patients died as a result of the treatment.

ILP is a safe and effective procedure in the treatment of advanced primary irresectable soft tissue sarcoma that can prevent amputation in many cases. It is however associated with significant morbidity and is burdensome for the patient.