A retrospective study of the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of soft-tissue sarcoma.

One hundred and forty patients with soft-tissue sarcoma were seen between 1965 and 1974 and the pathology has been reviewed in 93 cases. One hundred and eight patients were treated radically. Their overall survival rate was 53% at 5 years and 41% at 10 years. Overall local control was 63% but primary local control varied considerably with treatment, being highest for those receiving surgery and post-operative radiotherapy. The poor prognosis of patients with paravertebral tumours is confirmed.