Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Osteosarcoma, the most common primary malignant bone tumour, typically arises in the metaphysis of long bones such as the distal femur. This review aims to identify the evidence on the impact of osteosarcoma on patients’ quality of life (QoL).
METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in Embase® and MEDLINE® via Embase.com for English-language studies reporting QoL outcomes in children and adults with osteosarcoma in Europe.
RESULTS: Of 2,952 records screened, eight studies were included. For knee-surgery survivors, QoL scores remained stable between 2-year and long-term follow-ups with no significant changes in SF-36 Physical Component Summary (PCS; 42.3 vs 39.2; p = 0.41) and Mental Component Summary (MCS; 56.6 vs 57.5; p = 0.74) scores. Patients over 24 years old who had rotationplasty in childhood had better MCS scores at follow-up than those aged up to 24 years (54.2 vs 48.0; p = 0.04). Median global and objective functional scores were 24 and 17, respectively, indicating fair functional status. Lower-extremity bone-tumour patients had a median Toronto Extremity Salvage Score of 77.5 (range: 28-95); TNO-AZL Questionnaire scores ranged from 41.7-100, reflecting moderate functional limitations. EORTC QLQ-C30 scores indicated a declining trend with age in physical (from 87.8 to 73.7) and role functioning (from 83.7 to 74.7) but improved emotional functioning (from 80.3 to 87.7). Furthermore, 64.1% of survivors reported physical limitations and 12.8% experienced pain due to late surgical effects, which was significantly higher than sibling controls (1.3% and 0%; p < 0.001 and p = 0.02).
CONCLUSIONS: The review reveals diverse impacts of osteosarcoma on patients' QoL, indicating significant physical, emotional, and social challenges. These findings underscore the necessity for comprehensive care strategies and further research to better support and improve patients' overall well-being.