A trial looking at chemotherapy before surgery for retroperitoneal sarcoma (STRASS 2)

The following bullet points are a summary of the entry conditions for this trial. Talk to your doctor or the trial team if you are unsure about any of these. They will be able to advise you. 

Who can take part

You may be able to join this trial if all of the following apply.
You:

• have soft tissue sarcoma behind the organs in your tummy (retroperitoneal sarcoma)
• have liposarcoma that is fast growing (your doctor will know this) or you have leiomyosarcoma  that measures more than 5cm across 
• have only one area of cancer 
• have cancer that the doctor can completely remove with surgery
• are fit enough to have chemotherapy before surgery
• have cancer that the doctor can measure on a scan 
• have a sample of your cancer tissue (biopsy ) that the team can access or you are willing to give a new sample
• are well enough to have a general anaesthetic
• are up and about for at least half the day (performance status 0, 1 or 2)
• have satisfactory blood test results 
• are willing to use reliable contraception during the trial and for a period after if there is any chance you or your partner could become pregnant 
• are willing not to donate sperm 
• are at least 18 years old 

Who can’t take part

You cannot join this trial if any of these apply. 

Cancer related
You can’t take part if any of the following apply.
You: 

• have sarcoma of the pelvis that started in the bone, tummy (abdomen) or in the female reproductive system
• have sarcoma that has grown into an area of the pelvis called the sciatic notch or the muscle that helps you breathe in and out (diaphragm). Your doctor will know this. 
• have sarcoma and it isn’t possible for your doctor to work out the grade
• have cancer that has grown into surrounding tissue or has spread elsewhere in the body
• have already had surgery, radiotherapy or treatment to the whole body (systemic treatment ) for the sarcoma that your doctor is planning to treat.
• have had the maximum doses of chemotherapy drugs that include doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin or similar drugs in the past 
• have had any other cancer in the last 5 years. You can take part if you have had non melanoma skin cancer , cervical cancer or prostate cancer contained in the prostate gland  that was successfully treated.

Medical conditions
You can’t take part if any of the following apply. 
You:

• have had a heart attack within a year of joining the trial or a significant heart problem that needs treatment. Your doctor checks your heart before you can take part. 
• have an active or uncontrolled infection 
• have inflammation of the bladder or a problem with doing a wee
• have any other medical condition or mental health problem that could affect you taking part

Other
You can’t take part if any of the following apply. 
You:

• are sensitive (allergic) to doxorubicin, ifosfamide, dacarbazine or anything they contain
• can’t have an MRI scan or the dye used to have the scan for any reason
• have had a live vaccination within 30 days of joining the trial. This doesn’t include the approved COVID-19 vaccines as these aren’t live. 
• are pregnant or breastfeeding