Isolated limb perfusion and external beam radiotherapy for soft tissue sarcomas of the extremity: long-term effects on normal tissue according to the LENT-SOMA scoring system.
BACKGROUND
With the combined treatment procedure of isolated limb perfusion (ILP), delayed surgical resection and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for locally advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of the extremities, limb salvage rates of more than 80% can be achieved. However, long-term damage to the healthy surrounding tissue cannot be prevented. We studied the late effects on the normal tissue using the LENT-SOMA scoring system.


METHODS
A total of 32 patients-median age 47 (range 14-71) years-were treated for a locally advanced STS with ILP, surgical resection and often adjuvant 60-70 Gy EBRT. After a median follow-up of 88 (range 17-159) months, the patients were scored, using the LENT-SOMA scales, for the following late tissue damage: muscle/soft tissue, peripheral nerves, skin/subcutaneous tissue and vessels.


RESULTS
According to the individual SOM parameters of the LENT-SOMA scales, 20 patients (63%) scored grade-3 toxicity on one or more separate items, reflecting severe symptoms with a negative impact on daily activities. Of these patients, 3 (9%) even scored grade-4 toxicity on some of the parameters, denoting irreversible functional damage necessitating major therapeutic intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
In evaluating long-term morbidity after a combined treatment procedure for STS of the extremity, using modified LENT-SOMA scores, two-thirds of patients were found to have experienced serious late toxic effects.
Hoven-Gondrie
Miriam L
ML
Department of Surgical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, Groningen, 9700 RB, The Netherlands.
Thijssens
Katja M J
KM
Geertzen
Jan H B
JH
Pras
Elisabeth
E
van Ginkel
Robert J
RJ
Hoekstra
Harald J
HJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010478:Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005121:Extremities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents