New radiation combo aims to shrink sarcomas before surgery

NCT ID NCT01659203

Recruiting now Disease control Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 31, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tests two types of radiation therapy—proton beam or advanced photon (IMRT)—given before surgery for retroperitoneal sarcoma, a rare tumor deep in the abdomen. The goal is to find the highest safe dose that can be delivered to high-risk areas of the tumor while protecting healthy tissue. About 80 adults with this sarcoma will receive daily radiation for six weeks, then undergo surgery. The trial first checks safety, then measures how well the treatment controls the tumor locally.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: proton beam radiation therapy or intensity-modulated photon radiation therapy (IMRT)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could establish a safer, more effective radiation approach before surgery for retroperitoneal sarcoma, potentially reducing side effects and improving tumor control.
What could go wrong: This is an early-phase trial (Phase I/II) with only 80 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Radiation can still damage nearby organs, and the higher dose boost may increase toxicity.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma retroperitoneal sarcoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

RETROPERITONEAL SARCOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
Duke University
RECRUITING

Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States
MD Anderson Cancer Center
RECRUITING

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
Massachusetts General Hospital
RECRUITING

Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
Mayo Clinic
RECRUITING

Rochester, Minnesota, 55902, United States
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
RECRUITING

Buffalo, New York, 14263, United States
Rush University Medical Center
RECRUITING

Chicago, Illinois, 60612, United States
University of Utah
RECRUITING

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, United States
Washington University School of Medicine Siteman Cancer Center South County
RECRUITING

St Louis, Missouri, 63129, United States
Washington University School of Medicine Siteman Cancer Center West County
RECRUITING

Creve Coeur, Missouri, 63141, United States

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