Importance of intraoperative radiation therapy in the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma: data at hand

Abstract

Intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) delivers a high single-dose radiation during surgery, which in combination with perioperative conventional fractionated external beam radiation therapy enables increase the total dose to the tumor bed without increasing normal tissue morbidity. Therefore, it can improve local tumor control. Numerous clinical studies have proved the feasibility and efficacy of IORT in patients with sarcomas of the trunk and extremities, as well as retroperitoneal tumors. In this publication, theoretical and practical essentials regarding the utilization of IORT in the multimodal treatment of sarcoma will be discussed.

Radioterapia neoadyuvante e intraoperatoria en sarcoma de muslo y región poplítea para salvamento de extremidad. Reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura

“…Su objetivo es mejorar el control local del tumor, por medio de la adición de una dosis mayor de radiación al lecho tumoral con la posibilidad de aislar las estructuras sensibles para lograr una menor toxicidad en los tejidos vecinos; de esta manera se entrega de un modo seguro y homogéneo la mayor dosis biológicamente efectiva. Su eficacia biológica es 2 a 2,5 veces mayor que su valor nominal administrado con el fraccionamiento convencional 51 . Los datos de estudios de IORT en STB de extremidades con seguimientos de 2 y 3 años han mostrado tasas de control local entre el 87% a 92% 52,53 .…”

The challenge of soft tissue sarcomas—critical aspects of therapies with curative intent

“…Second, Sztankay A. [2] summarizes the basic principles, theoretical advantages and practical issues related to the concept of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) to improve local control in the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas. Within his article, he also provides us with a comprehensive review on the literature comparing IORT with conventional external beam radiotherapy that led to the acceptance of IORT as an important part of multimodality treatment.…”