Preoperative chemoradiation treatment strategies for localized sarcoma.
BACKGROUND
Over the past 2 decades, there has been increasing interest in chemoradiation treatment strategies for patients with soft tissue sarcomas. Investigators have evaluated: (1) the optimal route for chemotherapy administration (intra-arterial vs. intravenous); (2) the possible advantages of protracted infusion of the radiosensitizer versus brief infusion; (3) the efficacy and toxicity of various intravenous and oral radiation sensitizers; and (4) the efficacy of sequential versus concurrent combined modality treatment.


METHODS
The English-language literature addressing chemoradiation for localized and locally advanced extremity and retroperitoneal sarcomas was reviewed.


RESULTS
All studies have been pilot, phase I, or phase II designs. The most commonly used radiosensitizer for concurrent chemoradiation has been doxorubicin, administered intravenously in most recent reports. In the studies that have included assessment of recurrence-free survival, preoperative chemoradiation combined with surgery has resulted in favorable local control rates, often in excess of 90% for patients with localized and locally advanced extremity sarcomas.


CONCLUSIONS
The toxicities and recurrence-free outcome with chemoradiation plus surgery for soft tissue sarcoma still need to be compared to these with surgery and pre- or postoperative radiation. However, the generally favorable local control rates reported for chemoradiation justify continued investigation of preoperative chemoradiation strategies for localized sarcoma.
Pisters
Peter W T
PW
Multidisciplinary Sarcoma Center, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030-4009, USA. ppisters@mdanderson.org
Ballo
Matthew T
MT
Patel
Shreyaskumar R
SR
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D004317:Doxorubicin