Preoperative radiotherapy for soft tissue sarcoma

Preoperative 5-Day Radiotherapy for Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Single Institution Phase II Trial

PHASE2 · Medical University of South Carolina · NCT06905132

This study tests if a shorter course of radiation therapy before surgery can help people with soft tissue sarcoma in their arms, legs, or trunk while protecting healthy tissue and reducing side effects.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMedical University of South Carolina (other)
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Charleston, South Carolina)
Trial IDNCT06905132 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research focuses on patients diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma in the arm, leg, or trunk, aiming to preserve healthy tissue while treating the cancer. It employs hypofractionated radiotherapy over a 5-day period before surgery to minimize side effects and enhance treatment effectiveness. Participants will undergo approximately 12 visits, including a follow-up at 6 months post-operation, to assess early side effects and overall effectiveness of the treatment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with histologically confirmed soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity or trunk who are eligible for wide local excision.

Not a fit: Patients with distant metastatic disease or those who have received prior radiation therapy in the treatment area will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve surgical outcomes and preserve more healthy tissue for patients with soft tissue sarcoma.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise with hypofractionated radiotherapy approaches, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Willingness and provision of informed consent via signed and dated copy.
* Histologically confirmed STS of extremity or trunk.
* Male or female, aged greater than or equal to 18 years old
* ECOG performance status 0-3
* Meets screening criteria for receipt of radiotherapy.
* Deemed eligible for wide local excision.
* Patient and/or physician identified possible barriers to receiving a 5-week course of conventionally fractionated preoperative radiotherapy. Potential barriers include but are not limited to concern for local progression that could precluded or complicate limb sparing surgery, concern for distant progression that could result in patient being non-operative, financial and/or physical burden of travel for daily treatments, financial burden of time away from work or caregiving.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Distant metastatic disease
* Prior radiation therapy in the proposed treatment area
* Simultaneous treatment of another malignancy
* Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during the period of radiation therapy
* Planned concurrent administration of chemotherapy and radiation therapy

Where this trial is running

Charleston, South Carolina

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Soft Tissue Sarcoma, STS, HFRT, SFRP2

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.