Radiosensitivity and Local Tumor Control — Experimental Studies

Abstract

The impact of local tumor control on overall survival in soft tissue sarcomas is still a point of controversial discussion. Some data indicate the rate of distant metastases to be independent of local tumor control for soft tissue sarcomas (Stotter et al. 1990; Rooser et al. 1990; Gustafson et al. 1991). However, for a broad variety of tumors Fuks et al. (1991) showed in a comprehensive overview of experimental and clinical data a distinct correlation between local tumor control and the rate of distant metastases/overall survival. This hypothesis was also supported by Suit and Tepper (1986) and Suit (1991). The prognosis of patients with aggressive tumors with a high propensitiy of distant spread is a function of the dissemination rate at diagnosis. As distant spread decreases, local tumor control gradually gains importance as a prognostic factor. For tumors with a low propensitiy of distant spread, local control is the critical determinant for overall survival. Thus, local tumor control is thought to have a varying, but definite impact on overall survival.