Effect of Exercise on Patient Outcomes in Patients with Soft Tissue Sarcoma during Treatment with Neoadjuvant Radiation Therapy and Surgical Resection

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma that has been histologically confirmed by an approved reference pathologist
• Sarcoma of the upper or lower extremity location
• Treatment plan that includes neo-adjuvant radiation therapy followed by surgical resection
• Expected primary wound closure performed at the time at surgery
• Any disease stage
• Any tumor grade
• Any histologic subtype
• First or recurrent presentations
• No vascular invasion or resection/repair/reconstruction that results in decreased perfusion of the extremity
• No history of radiation therapy to the tumor and/or surgical area prior to the current treatment being studied
• Must be able to comply with follow up visits
• Must be able to provide own consent

Exclusion Criteria

• Treatment plan that does not include neo-adjuvant radiation and surgical excision
• Sarcoma location other than the upper or lower extremity
• History of radiation therapy to the tumor and/or surgical area prior to the current treatment being studied
• High dose steroid therapy (defined as > 5 mg prednisone, or equivalent, with the last 30 days)
• Active treatment with chemotherapy within the last 30 days
• Inability of the patient to provide informed consent (i.e. dementia, cognitive impairment, non-English speakers)
• Plan for post-operative radiation therapy
• Underlying severe cardiopulmonary disease
• Prior surgery, other than a biopsy, at the site of disease
• Tumors that are ulcerative or fungating through the dermis at the time of presentation
• Vascular invasion or resection/repair/reconstruction that results in decreased perfusion of the extremity
• Vascular disease resulting in clinically apparent compromise in blood flow to the treatment extremity (i.e. peripheral vascular disease with diminished pulses, venous insufficiency with clinical evidence of vascular congestion)
• Actively uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (documentation of history of diabetes mellitus [DM] with A1c > 8)
• Active deep vein thrombosis in the treatment extremity
• Inability to comply with follow up visits
• Pregnant females (women of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test prior to enrollment)