Radiotherapy Does Not Impact Long-term Function Following Resection of Soft-tissue Sarcomas of the Hand.

Background/Aim: Radiotherapy for soft tissue sarcomas ( STS) of the hand is thought to be associated with poor function. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term functional outcome in patients with and without radiotherapy. Patients and Methods: At long-term follow-up (mean 10 +/- 5 years), 33 (13 males, 20 female) patients, were alive for review. The mean patient age at surgery was 33 +/- 17 years and 13 (39%) patients received radiotherapy (mean dose 55 +/- 6 Gy). Results: Postoperatively, the mean QuickDASH and MSTS93 were 7 +/- 8 and 92 +/- 8%, respectively. Comparing patients with and without radiotherapy, there was no difference (p>0.05) between the mean QuickDASH (5 +/- 5 vs. 8 +/- 9) or MSTS93 (93 +/- 9% vs. 91 +/- 8%). Surgical complication occurred more commonly in patients with radiotherapy (46% vs. 15%, p=0.10). Conclusion: The use of radiotherapy was associated with a higher rate of complications, however, was not associated with a worse long-term functional outcome in patients with hand STS.