Adjuvant brachytherapy for primary high-grade soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity Journal Article


Authors: Alektiar, K. M.; Leung, D.; Zelefsky, M. J.; Healey, J. H.; Brennan, M. F.
Article Title: Adjuvant brachytherapy for primary high-grade soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity
Abstract: Background: We reviewed single-institution experience using brachytherapy alone for primary high-grade soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity. Methods: Between July 1982 and September 1997, 202 adult patients with primary high-grade soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity were treated with limb-sparing surgery and adjuvant brachytherapy. All patients underwent complete gross resection, but the margin of resection was microscopically positive in 18% of patients. The median dose of brachytherapy was 45 Gy delivered over 5 days. Tumors located in the shoulder or groin were defined as central location. Complications were assessed in terms of wound complications, bone fracture, and peripheral nerve damage. Results: With a median follow-up of 61 months, the 5-year local control, distant relapse-free survival, and overall survival rates were 84%, 63%, and 70%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, poor local control correlated with shoulder location, positive microscopic margins of resection, and nonshoulder upper extremity site. The 5-year actuarial rates of wound complications requiring reoperation, bone fracture, and grade ≥ nerve damage were 12%, 3%, and 5%, respectively. Conclusions: Adjuvant brachytherapy provides adequate local control and acceptable morbidity that compares favorably with data reported for external beam radiation. Shoulder tumor location was identified as an independent prognostic factor for poor local control, mandating further improvement in the local management of these tumors.
Keywords: adolescent; adult; cancer survival; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; survival analysis; fracture; retrospective studies; major clinical study; adjuvant therapy; radiation dose; radiotherapy, adjuvant; neoplasm staging; tumor localization; neoplasm recurrence, local; sarcoma; limb tumor; soft tissue sarcoma; extremities; brachytherapy; wound infection; extremity; high grade; peripheral nerve injury; beam therapy; humans; human; male; female; article
Journal Title: Annals of Surgical Oncology
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
ISSN: 1068-9265
Publisher: Springer  
Date Published: 2002-01-01
Start Page: 48
End Page: 56
Language: English
DOI: 10.1245/aso.2002.9.1.48
PUBMED: 11829430
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 14 November 2014 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Murray F Brennan
    1059 Brennan
  2. Michael J Zelefsky
    754 Zelefsky
  3. Kaled M Alektiar
    333 Alektiar
  4. Denis Heng Yan Leung
    114 Leung
  5. John H Healey
    551 Healey
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