The value of postoperative radiotherapy in childhood nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma

Objective To determine the value of postoperative radiotherapy (RT) in the management of nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma (NRSTS) of childhood. Procedure From 1964 to 2000, 62 children with a median age of 14 years were seen at the University of Iowa and underwent a wide local excision for non‐metastatic NRSTS. Tumors were high grade in 36 (58%) and >5 cm in 24 (39%). Margins of resection were negative (Group I) in 37 (60%) and positive (Group II) in 25 (40%). Postoperative RT was delivered to 20 patients (32%); eight of 37 (22%) Group I and 12 of 25 (48%) Group II children received postoperative RT. Chemotherapy was employed in 19 patients (31%). Median follow‐up was 9.6 years. Results The 5‐ and 10‐year overall survival rates for Group I were 69 and 63% and for Group II were 66 and 60%. The 5‐ and 10‐year local control rate was 66%. On multivariate analysis, size of tumor (P