Neoadjuvant chemoradiation compared to neoadjuvant radiation alone and surgery alone for Stage II and III soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities
2011

Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation for Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Sample size: 112 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Curtis Kelly K, Ashman Jonathan B, Beauchamp Christopher P, Schwartz Adam J, Callister Matthew D, Dueck Amylou C, Gunderson Leonard L, Fitch Tom R

Primary Institution: Mayo Clinic

Hypothesis

Does neoadjuvant chemoradiation improve outcomes compared to neoadjuvant radiation alone and surgery alone for Stage II and III soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities?

Conclusion

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation and neoadjuvant radiation are acceptable strategies for patients with soft tissue sarcoma, but chemoradiation is not clearly superior.

Supporting Evidence

  • NCR did not improve the rate of margin-negative resections over SA or NR.
  • Loco-regional relapse-free survival, distant metastases-free survival, and overall survival were not different among the treatment groups.
  • NCR-treated patients with tumors greater than 5 cm had significantly increased overall survival compared to surgery alone.

Takeaway

This study looked at different treatments for a type of cancer in the arms and legs. It found that using chemotherapy with radiation before surgery didn't work better than just radiation or surgery alone.

Methodology

A retrospective chart review of 112 cases treated between 1998 and 2009.

Potential Biases

Potential imbalances in treatment groups due to retrospective design.

Limitations

The study's retrospective nature may lead to biased results due to potential imbalances in treatment groups.

Participant Demographics

Median age was 58 years, with a majority having lower extremity involvement.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p = 0.01 for recurrence risk factors

Confidence Interval

95% CI; range 41.6 to 96.4 months for overall survival

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1748-717X-6-91

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication