OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the influence of previous manipulation in the treatment and local relapse of soft tissue sarcomas. METHODS: We evaluated 30 patients submitted to soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) surgery. These patients were divided into two groups: patients with previous unplanned resection of the tumor, and patients referred to a specialized center without any previous surgical treatment. We compared the two groups by the type of surgical treatment, complications and local relapse. RESULTS: Previous manipulation of the STS was seen in 60% of the patients on the series, changing the surgical technique in 66.6% of the cases. The amputation rate was similar between both groups, but three patients were amputated as a result of inappropriate previous resection. Complications were not significantly different between the groups (p = 0.282), as well as for local relapse (p = 0.461). CONCLUSION: The previous manipulation of soft tissue sarcomas influenced the surgical treatment, but neither influenced post-operative complications nor local relapse.
Sarcoma; Cancer; Surgery
