PET CT as Predictor of Response in Preoperative Chemotherapy for Soft Tissue Sarcoma

OBJECTIVES: Primary * Determine whether measurements of fludeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT imaging can accurately predict disease-free survival of patients with soft tissue sarcoma who are receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Secondary * Correlate histological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcomas with FDG-PET/CT imaging findings. Tertiary * Determine the changes in FDG-PET/CT imaging over time as each course of chemotherapy is given. OUTLINE: Patients receive 1 of 2 standard chemotherapy regimens: * Preferred regimen: Patients receive pegylated doxorubicin HCl liposome IV on day 1, ifosfamide IV continuously on days 1-6, and pegfilgrastim subcutaneously (SC) on day 8. Treatment repeats every 28 days for up to 4 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. * Alternative regimen: Patients receive doxorubicin hydrochloride IV continuously on days 1-7. Patients also receive ifosfamide and pegfilgrastim as in the preferred regimen. Treatment repeats every 28 days for up to 4 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. All patients undergo a fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT scan at baseline, after course 1, and after completion of chemotherapy. Patients undergo surgery within 4-6 weeks after completion of chemotherapy. After completion of study treatment and surgery, patients are followed every 6 months for 5 years. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 62 patients will be accrued for this study.