6.1.1 In general, the entire compartment need not be covered. A margin of 5 cm is recommended beyond the gross disease in the longitudinal (proximal and distal) direction.If this causes the field to extend beyond the compartment, the field can be shortened to include the end of the compartment plus a margin of 2 cm. The radial margin from the lesion should be 2 cm including any portion of the tumor not confined by an intact fascial barrier or bone; when an intact fascial barrier or bone is within 2 cm of the tumor, full dose can be placed at the fascial barrier or adjacent bony surface with sufficient margin for any set-up error (generally 0.5 cm).

6.1.2 Scars should be bolused with appropriate thickness specific to energy of photon beam. A wider area of bolus should be used if there is subcutaneous or cutaneous involvement.

6.1.3 Needle biopsy sites should be tattooed or marked so that they can be excised at the time of surgery. This should be done in such a way as to not be confused with the isocenter tattoo.

6.1.4 Every effort should be made to:

a) Avoid treating the full circumference of an extremity.

b) Avoid treating anus, urogenital tract, perineum and genitalia.

c) Avoid treating the lung, through use of appropriate shielding and treatment planning.

d) Avoid dose maximums in areas where surgical scars will be placed. This requires reviewing treatment plans with the surgeon.

e) If possible, avoid treating to full dose, skin over areas commonly traumatized (e.g., the elbow, knee, shin), femoral neck.

6.1.5 Use of CT planning is encouraged if the involved site can be appropriately immobilized and scanned in the CT simulator.

6.1.6 Sparing of a longitudinal strip of skin and subcutaneous tissue is encouraged for at least half of the course, unless adequate radial margins on the tumor as defined above cannot be achieved.

6.1.7 Conventional radiotherapy simulated with a 2-D simulator and conformal radiotherapy planned with a CT simulator are acceptable treatment techniques for this study. Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and any form of brachytherapy are not permitted.

6.2.1 Cohort A: Patients receiving MAID chemotherapy Treatment is to consist of two courses of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) interdigitated between MAID courses 1 and 2 and between courses 2 and 3. Each course of EBRT will begin 3 days after completion of each cycle of MAID course (i.e., 2 days off, out of hospital without therapy) and consist of 22 Gy in 11 fractions (once a day) over 15 days. If it falls on a Saturday or Sunday, treatment can resume on Monday. The total preoperative irradiation dose will be 44 Gy in 22 fractions. Thalidomide will be given 7 days per week each evening before bedtime during the radiation phase of the therapy but will not be given concurrent with the chemotherapy.

6.2.2 Cohort B: Patients not receiving MAID chemotherapy Treatment is to consist of 50 Gy in 25 fractions, delivered at 2 Gy per fraction daily over 5 weeks. Thalidomide will be given 7 days per week each evening before bedtime during the radiation phase of therapy.

6.2.3 The target volume of radiation therapy will include the site of the primary lesion and those tissues suspected of involvement by microscopic disease to a clinically important probability. In addition to physical exam findings, MRI scans or CT scans (less desirable) obtained during evaluation will be used in defining the target volume. The longitudinal (proximal and distal) margins beyond clinically or radiologically evident sarcoma will be 5 cm and radial margins will be 2 cm. The radial margin from the lesion should be 2 cm around any portion of the tumor not confined by an intact fascial barrier or bone; when an intact fascial barrier or bone is within 2 cm of the tumor, full dose can be placed at the fascial barrier or adjacent bony surface with sufficient margin for any set-up error generally 0.5 cm. Optimal field arrangement, beam parameters and shaped blocks will be used to achieve the closest approximation of treatment volume to target volume to minimize irradiation of uninvolved normal tissue.

6.2.4 Immobilization devices should be used daily to ensure reproducibility of treatment.

6.3.1 Post-operative external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) boost will be given for patients with positive margins. The radiation treatment is to be completed by administering 16 Gy to the bed of the residual tumor (including a margin of 1 cm). Boost will not be given for patients with 100% necrosis. EBRT will begin approximately 2 weeks following resection, assuming there is satisfactory healing of the surgical wound. At the time of resection, metallic clips will be placed to aid in defining the tumor bed. The target volume for post-operative radiation therapy will be the tumor bed as defined by the operative and pathological findings.

6.3.2 External Beam Post-Operative Boost Guidelines

1) The dose is 16 Gy in 8 fractions (once a day).

2) Bolus can be avoided unless positive margins occur in cutaneous or subcutaneous tissues.

3) It is not necessary to include the entire surgical bed, drain sites, and wound.

4) Surgical staples should remain in place during the boost.

6.4.1 For the two opposed coaxial equally weighted beams: on the central ray at separation of beams.

6.4.2 For an arrangement of two or more intersecting beams: at the intersection of the central ray of the beams.

6.4.3 Any other field arrangement: at the center of the target volume.