Quality of life, physical and mental status and contentment of patients with localized soft tissue or bone sarcoma: a questionnaire analysis

Abstract

Extremity soft tissue and bone sarcomas represent a rare group of bone and connective tissue cancers. In literature, there is little information about psycho-emotional status and impact on quality of life after the diagnosis and treatment of this kind of tumors. The aim of this survey was to define the profile of the patients at risk and their need for psychooncological care. Our self-created questionnaire consists of 71 items related to the individual emotional, mental and physical situation after the diagnosis of soft tissue and bone sarcoma. Sixty-six patients, surgically treated at our department, were included. Only 37.5% of the patients considered themselves to be completely emotional stable. Psychooncological treatment was accepted mostly by female patients, by patients with higher education level and by married patients. Emotional stability and confidence in future were associated with a strong familiar background, with numerous consultations of psychooncological service and also to gender and physical condition. Current quality of life was strongly correlated to physical condition. Thanks to our questionnaire, we disclosed few risk factors for negative emotional outcome after therapy, such as higher age, social isolation, female gender and poor physical status.

Health-related quality Of Life In patients with advanced Soft TIssue sarcomas treated with Chemotherapy (The HOLISTIC study): protocol for an international observational cohort study

“…22 Existing research into the HRQoL of patients with sarcoma has primarily focused on survivors of localised extremity STS, or specific subgroups of patients with advanced STS. [23][24][25][26] For example, the SABINE study evaluated HRQoL among patients with metastatic STS or bone sarcoma who had attained a favourable response to chemotherapy. 27 The PALETTE trial of pazopanib versus placebo, as second-line treatment (or greater) for patients with advanced STS, evaluated HRQoL as an exploratory endpoint.…”

Unravelling the heterogeneity of soft tissue and bone sarcoma patients’ health-related quality of life: a systematic literature review with focus on tumour location

“… 75 76 During treatment, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, appetite loss, drowsiness, shortness of breath and poor general well-being increased and physical functioning deteriorated, but pain scores improved. 75 76 When treatment was completed, almost 50% of patients considered their physical condition as stable and excellent 77 ; 17%–29% of patients reported severe fatigue. 78 …”

“…79 80 Undesirable effects of therapy were considered as the main stress factor. 77 After curative treatment, only one-third of patients regarded themselves to be completely emotionally stable and just over 50% had great confidence in the future. 77 Lower social functioning scores and more financial problems than the normative population were reported by patients with sarcoma at diagnosis.…”

“…77 After curative treatment, only one-third of patients regarded themselves to be completely emotionally stable and just over 50% had great confidence in the future. 77 Lower social functioning scores and more financial problems than the normative population were reported by patients with sarcoma at diagnosis. 75 In a cross-sectional study, 30% of patients with BS and STS could continue working without limitations after surgical treatment and financial strain was reported by 27%.…”

“…75 In a cross-sectional study, 30% of patients with BS and STS could continue working without limitations after surgical treatment and financial strain was reported by 27%. 77…”