Randomized Controlled Trials in Soft Tissue Sarcoma: We Are Getting There!

Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2017 Oct;26(4):531-544. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2017.05.001. Epub 2017 Aug 4.

Abstract

Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a family of malignancies for which individual management decisions can be complex. There is a paucity of level 1 evidence, as the rarity and heterogeneity of STS pose challenges to the design and execution of randomized controlled trials. Radiotherapy (RT) is routinely used to facilitate function-preserving surgery and to improve local control. Delivery of RT in the preoperative setting can decrease chronic toxicities at the cost of increased wound complications in the short-term. The role of adjuvant systemic therapies remains controversial in adult STS.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Extremity sarcoma; Preoperative radiotherapy; Randomized controlled trial; Retroperitoneal sarcoma; Soft tissue sarcoma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic*
  • Sarcoma / radiotherapy*
  • Sarcoma / surgery*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome