Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative radiation in the treatment of primary soft tissue sarcoma

The rationale for combining radiation with conservative surgery in the treatment of sarcoma of soft tissue is discussed, as well as the advantages for performing the radiation preoperatively on the one hand and postoperatively on the other. The results of treatment of soft tissue sarcoma by radical resectional surgery or amputation in 464 patients at four centers and by conservative surgery, and postoperative radiation in 416 patients at three centers, have been reviewed. The local failure rates were 18.1% and 18.3%, respectively. The results obtained by radiation administered postoperatively (110 patients) or preoperatively (60 patients) at the Massachusetts General Hospital during the period September 1971 to August 1982 are analyzed and discussed with reference to 5-year actuarial local control and survival results as well as causes of failure with respect to AJC stage, histologic type, anatomic site, and size of tumor. The results which have been obtained by the preoperative approach are judged to be superior, particularly for the larger lesions and higher grades that predominated in that group. Of a total of 170 patients, there were 19 local failures; 13 of these were diagnosed at the time when metastatic disease was not evident. Of those 13, 12 have been subjected to salvage surgery and 7 remain with no evidence of disease at 1 to 3.5 years after the salvage procedure. A major problem in the management of these patients remains the occult metastatic disease.