Efficacy of hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion in the treatment of locally recurrent high-grade soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities

Background This novel study compared the use of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and melphalan-based isolated limb perfusion (TM-ILP) to the standard treatment of locally recurrent soft tissue extremity sarcoma. The aim was to assess whether TM-ILP positively influences the recurrence-free survival of locally recurrent high-grade soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the extremities. Methods We retrospectively analyzed our clinical database for patients with STS. Variables were analyzed using chi-square test or Mann-Whitney rank-sum test. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier survival plots were calculated and a proportional hazard regression model was developed. Results Out of 448 patients with extraabdominal STS treated between August 2012 and December 2015, 52 cases involving 47 patients had locally recurrent STS. Twenty-eight of these patients were treated with TM-ILP prior to surgical resection (TM-ILP-group), and 24 were treated with standard therapy (without TM-ILP). The 3-year recurrence-free survival for the TM-ILP-group was estimated at 75% (95% confidence interval (CI), 71.5–78.5). Local recurrence-free survival in the standard group was significantly lower (LRFS: 43.4%, 95% CI 38.7–48.1, p = 0.026). Multivariable analysis revealed resection with negative margins, lower number of previous recurrences, and TM-ILP as positive predictors for recurrence-free survival. Conclusions TM-ILP and consecutive resection of residual tumor with negative resection margins significantly improves local recurrence-free survival for patients with a first local recurrence of high-grade STS in the extremities.