Dataset related to article "Adjuvant volumetric modulated arc therapy compared to 3D conformal radiation therapy for newly diagnosed soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities: outcome and toxicity evaluation."

<p>OBJECTIVE:</p> <p>To assess the impact of adjuvant volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) compared with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) in terms of toxicity and local control (LC) in patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities.</p> <p>METHODS:</p> <p>From 2004 to 2016, 109 patients were treated, initially using 3DCRT and subsequently with VMAT. Clinical outcome was evaluated by contrast-enhanced MRI, thoracic and abdominal CT 3 months after treatments and then every 6 months. Toxicity was evaluated with Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events scale v. 4.3.</p> <p>RESULTS:</p> <p>Patients presented Stage III soft tissue sarcoma disease (77%), localized tumor (95%) at the lower extremity (87%), adipocytic histotype (46%). Surgical resection was performed in all patients, followed by adjuvant 3DCRT in 38, and VMAT in 71. The median total dose was 66&thinsp;Gy/33 fractions (range 60-70&thinsp;Gy;25-35 fractions). More successful bone sparing was recorded using VMAT (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001). Median follow-up was 61 months, 93 and 58 months for 3DCRT and VMAT group, respectively. The 2- and 5&thinsp;year LC were 95.3&plusmn;2.1%, and 87.4&plusmn;3.4% for the whole cohort, 92.0&plusmn;4.5%, 82.9&plusmn;6.4% for 3DCRT, 97.1&plusmn;2.0%, 89.6&plusmn;4.1% for VMAT (<em>p</em> = 0.150). On univariate and multivariate analysis the factors recorded as conditioning LC were the status of the surgical resection margins (<em>p</em> = 0.028) and the total dose delivered (<em>p</em> = 0.013).</p> <p>CONCLUSION:</p> <p>The availability of modern radiotherapy technique permit a better conformity on the target with maximum sparing of normal tissue and acceptable side-effects. VMAT is a safe and feasible treatment with limited rate of toxicity, compared to 3DCRT. Results on LC of VMAT are encouraging.</p> <p>ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:</p> <p>Soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities can benefit from the use of VMAT, with a reduction of the high dose to bones to avoid radiation osteonecrosis. An adequate total dose of at least 66&thinsp;Gy and a radical surgical margin allow a good local control.</p>