[Local recurrence of soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities and trunk]

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) tend to recur locally. In a series of 140 patients operated on during the past two decades with STS of the extremities and trunk, prognostic factors influencing local recurrence were determined. Statistical significance was evaluated for the quality of surgical resection (P < 0.001), regional positive lymph nodes (P = 0.03), and adjuvant radiotherapy (P = 0.01) [for resection without wide margins (R1) and low-grade (G3) tumors]. In 1988, the surgical procedure was standardized. After 1987, local recurrence decreased significantly (P < 0.001). In subfascial tumors, local recurrence occurred far less in cases of compartmental resection than with wide excision. These data indicate that the course of patients with STS can be beneficially influenced by optimal therapy. Resection with wide margins in all three dimensions is the aim of sarcoma surgery. Postoperative radiation therapy is indicated in the case of R1 resection.