title: Prognostic factors of extremity soft tissue sarcoma in adults. A single institutional analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyse the prognostic factors for patients treated with limb sparing surgery and radiation for extremity soft tissue sarcoma (E-STS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of 87 patients with limb sparing surgery and radiation for E-STS were reviewed retrospectively. Disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were estimated and factors potentially influencing these outcomes were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a mean follow-up of 69months, most recurrences occurred within the first 2years. Extent of resection margin was found to improve DFS (P=0.002) and DSS (P=0.002). Brachytherapy combined with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) improved DFS (P=0.034) and DSS (P=0.019). Tumor size (<10cm) was related to DSS (P=0.043) and its relation to DFS was almost significant (P=0.057). Short time interval between surgery and radiotherapy (≤50days) had an impact only on DSS (P=0.030).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extent of resection margin and use of brachytherapy combined with EBRT seem to improve the prognosis of E-STS. Small tumor size and short time interval between radiotherapy and surgery seem also to improve the outcome of E-STS. This study was limited by inadequate power and low number of recurrences. Larger randomised studies are needed to confirm these results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Henry-Kaplan Oncology Center, CHRU de Tours, 2, boulevard Tonnellé, 37044 Tours, France. alotain2002@gmail.com
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Atean
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pointreau
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rosset
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Garaud
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De-Pinieux
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Calais
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005121:Extremities / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D023821:Limb Salvage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult