Retroperitoneal sarcoma: the Transatlantic Australasian Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group Program

The Transatlantic Australasian Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Working Group (TARPSWG) is a bottom-up clinical network established in 2013 with the goal of improving the care and outcomes of patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS). Here, we review the knowledge produced by this collaborative effort and examine the future potential of this group.

TARPSWG has produced retrospective studies focused on patients with primary and recurrent RPS allowing a better understanding of patient prognosis, treatment outcomes and tumor biology. The group has played a pivotal role in a phase III randomized STudy of preoperative RAdiotherapy plus Surgery versus surgery alone for patients with Retroperitoneal Sarcoma (STRASS) trial, favoring patient recruitment and trial completion. A prospective registry for patients with primary RPS populated by TARPSWG members is ongoing. TARPSWG has created consensus papers with recommendations regarding the management of patients with primary, recurrent and metastatic RPS that collated the views of representatives of sarcoma centers from Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.

Since its inception, TARPSWG has become a leading network in the field of RPS. It has made a major contribution to the world of RPS research and cares allowing to overcome the limitations related to the rarity of the disease through collaboration.