Key clinical point: Radiotherapy was associated with lower cancer specific mortality in surgically treated retroperitoneal sarcoma patients with large, high grade liposarcomas and leiomyosarcomas. In this retrospective report, delivery of radiotherapy was associated with lower cancer specific mortality in high grade, large tumor size retroperitoneal sarcoma patients.

Main finding: Among 1,226 patients with non-metastatic retroperitoneal sarcoma, 372 patients (30.3%) received radiotherapy. High grade tumors (OR: 1.46, CI:1.12–1.90; p = 0.006), and leiomyosarcoma histologic subtypes (OR: 2.14, CI: 1.55–2.95; P less than 0.001) predicted radiotherapy delivery. Lower cancer specific mortality (HR: 0.73, CI: 0.55–0.96; P = 0.025) was associated with radiotherapy, and radiotherapy mainly benefitted patients with high grade, large retroperitoneal sarcomas (HR 0.51: C.I.: 0.30–0.86; P = 0.02).

Study details: A retrospective study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004–2014). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models tested for predictors of radiotherapy delivery and the effect of radiotherapy on cancer specific mortality in the overall population. Subgroup analyses explored the result of tumor grade and tumor size on radiotherapy effect

Disclosures: None of the contributing authors had any relevant conflicts of interest

Source: Nazzani S et al. Radiotherapy and Oncology 2018: 127; 318-325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2018.03.027