Use of radiation therapy for patients with soft-tissue and bone sarcomas.

Radiation therapy is recommended as an adjuvant to resection for intermediate- and high-grade soft-tissue sarcomas; its role in bone sarcomas is largely limited to select patients with Ewing sarcoma. Despite the integral role of radiation therapy in soft-tissue sarcoma management, its optimal timing--preoperative versus postoperative--is uncertain, with each timing scenario having advantages and disadvantages. Preparation for radiation therapy involves a detailed planning session to optimize and standardize patient positioning and determine the target volume. Side effects of radiation therapy may include skin changes, delayed wound healing and other wound complications, fatigue, reduced range of motion of the affected limb, pain, and bone fractures.