title: Combined Modality Management of Retroperitoneal Sarcomas: A Single-Institution Series of 121 Patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate local control, survival outcomes, and complication rates of patients treated with aggressive surgery and radiation therapy (RT) for retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS).
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the medical records of 121 consecutive patients treated for RPS with surgery and RT between 1965 and 2012. The most common histology was liposarcoma (n = 42; 35%). The median follow-up was 100 months (range: 20-467 months). Eighty-six patients (71%) were treated for initial presentation of RPS, and 35 patients (29%) presented with and were treated for RPS recurrence. RT was preoperative in 88 patients (73%; median dose: 50.4 Gy) and postoperative in 33 patients (27%; median dose: 55 Gy).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five-year local control and overall survival rates were 56% and 57%, respectively. Two factors were associated with higher risk of any intra-abdominal recurrence at 5 years: positive or uncertain margins (58% vs 30% for negative margins, P < .001; hazard ratio [HR]: 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6-4.8) and disease recurrence after previous resection (76% vs 31% for de novo RPS, P < .001; HR: 4.4; 95% CI: 2.5-7.5). The 10-year complication rate was 5%, and RT-related complications were associated with postoperative RT (P < .001) and RT dose of ≥ 60 Gy (P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intra-abdominal RPS recurrence continues to be a significant challenge despite the use of aggressive surgery and radiation therapy. Given the complications associated with postoperative radiation therapy, we recommend that preoperative radiation therapy is the preferred strategy when combined modality therapy is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Gunar K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Zagars
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Keila E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Kelly K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Janice N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Cormier
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Barry W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Feig
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; Department of Health Services Research, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. Electronic address: aguadagn@mdanderson.org.
authors.forename: B Ashleigh
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Guadagnolo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008080:Liposarcoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D015996:Survival Rate; D055815:Young Adult