Low-dose intraoperative brachytherapy in soft tissue sarcomas involving neurovascular structure.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate intraoperative brachytherapy in the management of soft tissue sarcomas involving neurovascular structures, its impact on local control and complications.


METHODS
Between 01/1989 and 12/2002, 98 patients received an intraoperative implant in conjunction with conservative surgery. Brachytherapy was part of the initial treatment (79 cases) or performed in recurrent disease (19 cases). We studied primary sarcomas involving neurovascular structures treated with conservative surgery and intraoperative brachytherapy (n = 6) or intraoperative brachytherapy and external irradiation (n = 73). Conservative surgery was performed as first treatment (51 cases), after chemotherapy (21 cases) and after primary external radiation (seven cases). Brachytherapy was performed according to Paris system rules. Patients were loaded with Iridium 192 (64 cases) or connected to a Microselectron PDR (15 cases). Mean dose given by brachytherapy was 20 Gy. Mean dose given of external radiotherapy was 46 Gy.


RESULTS
With a median follow-up of 58 months, 5-year actuarial survival was 69% and local free disease at 5 years was 90%. Acute side-effects occurred in 22/79 requiring surgical repair in 10 patients. Late side-effects occurred in 35/79. No patient required amputation for complications. Prognostic factors were studied for the occurrence of acute and late side-effects and local control.


CONCLUSIONS
Intraoperative brachytherapy is efficient with excellent local control rates in soft tissue sarcomas presenting with neurovascular involvement and offers an acceptable conservative option.
Llácer
Carmen
C
Institut Bergonié, Regional Cancer Center, Bordeaux Cedex, France.
Delannes
Martine
M
Minsat
Mathieu
M
Stoeckle
Eberhard
E
Votron
Laurent
L
Martel
Pierre
P
Bonnevialle
Paul
P
Nguyen Bui
Binh
B
Chevreau
Christine
C
Kantor
Guy
G
Daly-Schveitzer
Nicolas
N
Thomas
Laurence
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D016019:Survival Analysis
D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes