Contemporary radiotherapy for soft tissue sarcoma

This review will detail the role of radiotherapy in the management of soft tissue sarcoma. Particular emphasis will be given to its role as an adjuvan t to surgical excision for local curative management. The addition of radio therapy permits a tissue-conserving operation to be performed, which has fu nctional and cosmetic advantages yet produces local control equivalent to m ore radical surgery alone. The review will consider the historical evolutio n of treatment up through recent and contemporary practice. The principles of use will be outlined using available evidence and, where this is lacking , it will be acknowledged with suggestions for improvement. Finally, a brie f overview of some technical issues about radiotherapy will be provided. Se min. Surg. Oncol. 17:33-46, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.