CivaSheet® use for soft tissue sarcoma: A single institution experience

CivaSheet is a palladium-103, implantable, intraoperative radiation therapy device which emits unidirectional radiation that enables boost doses in patients who have otherwise received the maximum radiation dose. Here, we present our initial clinical experience with the first 10 cases using this new technology.

A retrospective chart review of all patients with STS treated with surgical resection and CivaSheet placement at the University of Miami Hospital, a tertiary care center, from January 2018 to December 2019, was performed. Adjuvant radiation was administered by a palladium-103 implant, which delivered an average of 47 Gy (35-55) to a depth of 5 mm.

Nine patients underwent CivaSheet placement from January 2018 until December 2019 for a total of 10 CivaSheets placed (1 patient had 2 CivaSheets inserted) and followed for a mean of 27 months (4-45 months). Four tumors were located in the retroperitoneum, two in the chest, two in the groin, and two within the lower extremity. At the time of tumor resection and CivaSheet placement, tumor sizes ranged from 2.5 cm to 13.8 cm with an average of 7.6 cm. Four patients necessitated musculocutaneous tissue flaps for closure and reconstruction. All patients with Grade 4 complications had flap reconstruction and prior radiation. Four patients' tumors recurred locally for a local recurrence rate of 40%. Three patients had modified accordion Grade 4 complications necessitating additional surgery for CivaSheet removal. Extremity tumors unanimously developed modified accordion Grade 4 adverse events.

CivaSheet may be an acceptable alternative treatment modality compared to prior brachytherapy methods.