Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion with tumour necrosis factor and melphalan as treatment of locally advanced or recurrent soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities

Abstract

Hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (HILP) with various chemotherapeutic agents has been used for the local treatment of high-grade soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of the extremities, but in most cases with a disappointing result. Most regimens should certainly not be considered superior to surgery plus radiotherapy. Although the majority of extremity STS can be resected locally, some have a very large size and are in close proximity to bones, nerves or blood vessels. In these cases, amputation is the only means of resecting the tumour. A new combination of drugs used in the set-up of HILP with tumour necrosis factor- α and melphalan has emerged as a very promising option for the limb-saving management of locally advanced STS. In recent studies, complete response rates of approximately 30% and partial remission rates of 50% have been achieved, while the overall limb-salvage rate is more than 80%.