title: Long-term results of a phase 2 study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the management of high-risk, high-grade, soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities and body wall: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Trial 9514.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy in soft tissue sarcomas is controversial. This is a report of long-term (≥5 years) follow-up in patients with high-grade, high-risk soft tissue sarcomas treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, preoperative radiotherapy (RT), and adjuvant chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcoma≥8 cm in diameter of the extremities and body wall received 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (mesna, doxorubicin, ifosfamide, and dacarbazine) and preoperative RT (44 grays administered in split courses), and 3 cycles of postoperative chemotherapy (mesna, doxorubicin, ifosfamide, and dacarbazine).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-four of 66 patients were analyzed. After chemotherapy and RT, 61 patients had surgery; 58 had R0 resections (5 amputations), and 3 had R1 resections. Ninety-seven percent experienced grade 3 or higher toxicity, including 3 deaths. These toxicities were short term. With a median follow-up of 7.7 years in surviving patients, the 5-year rates of locoregional failure (including amputation), and distant metastasis were 22.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.8-32.6) and 28.1% (95% CI, 17.0-39.2). The most common site of metastasis was lung. Estimated 5-year rates of disease-free survival, distant disease-free survival, and overall survival were 56.1% (95% CI, 43.9-68.3), 64.1% (95% CI, 52.3-75.8), and 71.2% (95% CI, 60.0-82.5), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the toxicity was significant, it was limited in its course and for the most part resolved by 1 year. The long-term outcome was better than might be expected in such high-risk tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. william.kraybill@osumc.edu
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Kraybill
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Ira J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Spiro
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ettinger
authors.forename: Thomas F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: DeLaney
authors.forename: Ronald H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Blum
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Harmon
authors.forename: G Douglas
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Letson
authors.forename: Burton
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eisenberg
mesh_terms: D034861:Abdominal Wall; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005121:Extremities; D006801:Humans; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012306:Risk; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D035441:Thoracic Wall; D016896:Treatment Outcome