Combined management of retroperitoneal sarcoma with dose intensification radiotherapy and resection: Long-term results of a prospective trial

Background: Late failure is a challenging problem following resection of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS). We investigated the effects of preoperative XRT plus dose escalation with early postoperative brachytherapy (BT) on long-term survival and recurrence in RPS. 3 Methods: From June 1996 to October 2000, eligible patients with resectable RPS were entered onto a phase II trial of preoperative XRT (45-50 Gray) plus postoperative BT (20-25 Gray). Kaplan Meier survival curves were constructed and compared by log rank analysis (SPSS 21.0). Results: All 40 patients had preoperative XRT and total gross resection as part of the prospective trial, nineteen received BT (48%). Median follow-up was 106 months. For the entire cohort, OS at 5 and 10 years was 70% and 64%, respectively; RFS at 5 and 10 years was 69% and 63%. RFS was significantly reduced in high versus low grade RPS at 5 years (53% vs. 88%, p = 0.016), but not at 10 years (53% vs. 75%, p = 0.079). RFS and OS at 10 years were reduced in patients who presented with recurrent compared to primary disease (RFS 30% vs. 74%, p = 0.015; OS 36% vs. 76%, p = 0.036). At 10 years, neither RFS nor OS was improved in patients who received BT compared to those who did not (RFS 56% vs. 69%, p = 0.54; OS 52% vs.76%, p = 0.23). Conclusions: In this prospective trial with mature follow-up, long-term OS and RFS in patients who underwent combined preoperative XRT plus resection of RPS compare favourably with those reported in retrospective institutional and population-based series. Postoperative BT was associated with unacceptable toxicity and did not contribute to disease control. Condensed abstract: In a prospective trial with mature follow-up, preoperative radiation combined with complete resection of retroperitoneal sarcoma resulted in favourable long-term RFS and OS compared to historical controls. Dose escalation with postoperative brachytherapy was not associated with better disease control. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.