Metrics details. Optimising post-operative joint function is challenging when treating periarticular soft tissue sarcoma STS. Radiotherapy reduces local recurrence rates but periarticular fibrosis may adversely affect joint function. Neo-adjuvant radiotherapy requires lower doses and smaller treatment volumes and therefore has potential benefits for the management of periarticular STS, but has previously been shown to be associated with an increased risk of post-operative wound complications.
This study assesses initial outcome and complications after treatment with neo-adjuvant radiotherapy and surgery for patients with periarticular STS. Seventeen patients mean age Patients were assessed weekly for adverse effects during radiotherapy.
Surgery was planned for 6 weeks following completion of radiotherapy. No patients had a significant adverse effect during radiotherapy. Three patients Magnetic resonance imaging MRI demonstrated a reduction in mean maximal tumour diameter from 7. One patient had further surgery due to incomplete margins. No patients required post-operative radiotherapy.
No local recurrences have occurred after a mean follow-up of 32 months range 19 to 59 months. Two patients have developed metastatic disease. Mean TESS scores for upper and lower limb patients were We have demonstrated improved wound complication rates compared to the existing literature on the use of neo-adjuvant radiotherapy.
This may relate to modification of the technique and patient selection compared to previous series. Excellent functional outcomes can be obtained with this treatment strategy. STS are tumours of mesodermal origin and are classified according to their tissue of origin, the most common types being myxofibrosarcoma, liposarcoma, and leiomyosarcoma [ 2 ].
