The effect of neoadjuvant radiation therapy on perioperative outcomes among patients undergoing resection of retroperitoneal sarcomas

• We assess short-term postoperative outcomes associated with neoadjuvant RT for RPS.
• Currently, approximately 10% of patients with RPS receive neoadjuvant RT.
• Operative time is longer among patients who receive neoadjuvant RT.
• Neoadjuvant RT does not increase postoperative morbidity following RPS resection.

BackgroundNeoadjuvant radiation therapy (RT) has several theoretical benefits in the treatment of retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS), but concerns remain about treatment toxicity and perioperative morbidity. There are limited data regarding its effect on perioperative outcomes, most of which come from small, single-institution series. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term (30-day) postoperative morbidity and mortality associated with neoadjuvant RT following resection of RPS.MethodsThe 2005–2011 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant User File was queried for patients undergoing RPS resection. Subjects were stratified by use of neoadjuvant RT. Perioperative variables and short-term 30-day outcomes were compared. Groups were then propensity matched using a 2:1 nearest-neighbor algorithm and multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess neoadjuvant RT as a predictor of short-term 30-day outcomes.ResultsA total of 785 patients were identified. Neoadjuvant RT was administered to 71 (9.0%). Patients who received neoadjuvant RT were slightly younger (56 vs. 62 years, p < 0.001), but otherwise the groups were similar. After propensity matching, all baseline characteristics were highly similar. Median operative time was longer in the neoadjuvant RT group (279 vs. 219 min, p < 0.01), but there were no differences in mortality (1.4 vs. 2.1%, p = 0.71), major complications (28.2 vs. 25.2%, p = 0.69), overall complications (35.2 vs.33.2%, p = 0.83), early reoperation (5.6 vs. 7.4%, p = 0.81), or length of stay (7 vs. 7 days, p = 0.56). Following further adjustment with logistic regression, we confirmed that there were no differences in 30-day mortality or morbidity between patients who did and did not receive neoadjuvant RT.ConclusionsNeoadjuvant RT does not appear to increase short-term (30-day) morbidity or mortality following resection of RPS. Continued investigation is needed to better define the role for radiation therapy among patients with this disease.