Postoperative Hypofractionated Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy with a Simultaneous Integrated Boost for Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare neoplasms whose standard treatment combines surgery and radiotherapy. Conventional postoperative radiotherapy regimens involve prolonged treatment courses, which has prompted the exploration of hypofractionated alternatives. The development of advanced techniques, such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), together with the use of a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB), allows biologically equivalent doses to be delivered over a shorter period, optimizing dose distribution and reducing irradiation of healthy tissues. We present a retrospective series of 51 patients with STS treated with postoperative hypofractionated radiotherapy delivered in 15 fractions. Acute and late toxicity and oncologic outcomes were evaluated. The results showed satisfactory local control and survival, a low incidence of acute toxicity, and a moderate rate of late fibrosis. These findings suggest that hypofractionation using IMRT/VMAT is a viable therapeutic alternative in selected settings.Downloads
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