Association of degree of radiosensitivity with disease specific survival in myxoid liposarcoma

Compared to other sarcomas, myxoid liposarcoma (ML) is known to be radiosensitive, with improved oncologic outcomes. There is a paucity of studies examining the association of the degree of radiosensitivity and disease specific survival in extremity ML. A study at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) found that compared to patients with more than 25% tumor volume reduction after preoperative radiotherapy, patients with 25% or less reduction had worse 10-year DSS (86% versus 37%; p<0.001), in addition to increased risk of metastatic disease (HR 4.63; p<0.01) and death due to disease (HR 4.52; p<0.01). The authors conclude that lack of volume reduction is a risk factor for metastatic disease and subsequent death due to disease in patients with extremity ML treated with combined preoperative radiotherapy and surgery.