title: Therapeutic and functional results of limb salvage to treat sarcomas of the forearm and hand.
abstract: Twenty-six patients with soft tissue sarcomas of the forearm and hand were treated with limb salvage protocols involving surgical wide excision, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Six received immediate or delayed reconstructive surgery to improve function. The average delay from the time of the first medical consultation until the correct diagnosis was made was 4.5 months. The average follow-up period was 44 months; a 91% survival rate was observed, with an 8% rate of local recurrence. Functional abilities were assessed by a questionnaire concerning work, household activities, and overall satisfaction with the surgical result. Eight-six percent of the patients had an excellent functional result, and 84% reported excellent satisfaction with their operation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, University of California Los Angeles Center for Health Sciences 90024.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Wexler
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Eilber
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005542:Forearm / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000628:therapy*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D014953:Wrist / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery