Outcomes and computed tomography radiomic features extraction in soft tissue sarcomas treated with neoadjuvant radiation therapy

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the management, toxicity and treatment responses of patients treated with neoadjuvant radiotherapy (NART) for soft tissue sarcomas (STS) and to analyse the potential of radiomic features extracted from computed tomography (CT) scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective and exploratory study with patients treated between 2006 and 2019. Acute and chronic toxicities are evaluated. Local progression free survival (LPFS), distant progression free survival (DPFS) and overall survival (OS) are analysed. Radiomic features are obtained. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients were included. Median follow-up is 24 months. Complications in surgical wound healing were observed in 20% of patients, chronic fibrosis was documented as grade 1 (12%) and grade 2 (12%) without grade 3 events and chronic lymphedema as grade 1 (8%) and grade 2 (20%) without grade 3 events. Survival variables were LPFS 76%, DPFS 62% and OS 67.2% at 2-year follow-up. CT radiomics features were associated significantly with local control (GLCM-correlation), systemic control (HUmin, HUpeak, volume, GLCM-correlation and GLZLM-GLNU) and OS (GLZLM-SZE). CONCLUSIONS: STS treated with NART in our centre associate with an OS and toxicity comparable to other series. CT radiomic features have a prognosis potential in STS risk stratification. The results of our study may serve as a motivation for future prospective studies with a greater number of patients.