Not Yet RecruitingPhase 3

Testing Short-Course Radiation Versus Standard-Course Radiation for Soft Tissue Sarcomas That Need Surgery and Radiation

296 participantsStarted 2026-12-02

Plain-language summary

This clinical trial compares the effect of short-course ultrahypofractionated radiation therapy over 5 days (UHRT-5) to standard-course radiation therapy over 25 days (RT-25) in treating patients with soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities that may be primary or that may have come back to nearby tissue or lymph nodes after a period of improvement (locally recurrent) and that can be removed by surgery (resectable). Radiation therapy uses high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill tumor cells and shrink tumors. 3-dimensional (3D) conformal radiation therapy (CRT) uses a computer to create a 3D picture of the tumor. This allows doctors to give the highest possible dose of radiation to the tumor, while sparing the normal tissue as much as possible. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a type of 3D radiation therapy that uses computer-generated images to show the size and shape of the tumor. Thin beams of radiation of different intensities are aimed at the tumor from many angles. This type of radiation therapy reduces the damage to healthy tissue near the tumor. Standard-course (fractionated) radiation divides the total dose of radiation therapy into several smaller, equal doses delivered over a period of several days. Ultrahypofractionated radiation therapy delivers higher doses of radiation therapy over a shorter period of time and may kill more tumor cells and have fewer side effects. Giving UHRT-5 may be as effective as RT-25 in treating patients with primary or locally recurrent soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities that are resectable. It may also improve quality of life by requiring fewer treatments.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must have histological evidence of a soft tissue sarcoma from core or incisional biopsy. Participants must have a primary or locally recurrent tumor. Stage II-IIIB (by American Joint Committee on Cancer \[AJCC\] 8th edition) soft tissue sarcoma is required * Prior partial excision or partial excisional biopsy of the tumor, with imaging evidence of gross residual disease \> 1cm in longest dimension (stage II-IIIB) * Participants must have a primary site of disease in the extremity, including the shoulder girdle and hip girdle but excluding the hands and feet * Participants with primary sites of trunk, head, neck, or intra-abdominal, intrapelvic, or retroperitoneal region are not eligible * Participants with extension of the primary tumor into adjacent regions (e.g. torso, hands, feet) are eligible * Participants must have an MRI of the primary site within 90 days prior to randomization. The MRI field of view must contain the entirety of the tumor (may be accomplished with multiple MRI scans). MRI must contain axial acquired T1 weighted with fat suppression, T1 weighted sequence with gadolinium contrast with fat suppression, and T2 weighted fat suppression sequence * Participants must have no evidence of metastatic disease by CT imaging of the chest (or positron emission tomography \[PET\] CT), within 28 days before randomization * Given the lack of specificity of chest CT, pulmonary nodule(s) ≤ 5 mm without a histological diagnosi…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Local tumor recurrence rate

Timeframe: At 2 years

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07615049

SponsorSWOG Cancer Research Network

Sponsor typeNETWORK

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2029-04-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Recurrent Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Trunk and Extremities trials