Introduction: Changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during the diagnostic and treatment trajectory of high-grade extremity soft-tissue sarcoma (eSTS) has rarely been investigated for... Show moreIntroduction: Changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during the diagnostic and treatment trajectory of high-grade extremity soft-tissue sarcoma (eSTS) has rarely been investigated for adults (18–65 y) and the elderly (aged ≥65 y), despite a potential variation in challenges from diverse levels of physical, social, or work-related activities. This study assesses HRQoL from time of diagnosis to one year thereafter among adults and the elderly with eSTS. Methods: HRQoL of participants from the VALUE-PERSARC trial (n = 97) was assessed at diagnosis and 3, 6 and 12 months thereafter, utilizing the PROMIS Global Health (GH), PROMIS Physical Function (PF) and EQ-5D-5L. Results: Over time, similar patterns were observed in all HRQoL measures, i.e., lower HRQoL scores than the Dutch population at baseline (PROMIS-PF:46.8, PROMIS GH-Mental:47.3, GH-Physical:46.2, EQ-5D-5L:0.76, EQ-VAS:72.6), a decrease at 3 months, followed by an upward trend to reach similar scores as the general population at 12 months (PROMIS-PF:49.9, PROMIS GH Physical:50.1, EQ-5D-5L:0.84, EQ-VAS:81.5), except for the PROMIS GH-Mental (47.5), where score remained lower than the general population mean (T = 50). Except for the PROMIS-PF, no age-related differences were observed. Conclusions: On average, eSTS patients recover well physically from surgery, yet the mental component demonstrates no progression, irrespective of age. These results underscore the importance of comprehensive care addressing both physical and mental health. Show less
Kruiswijk, A.A.; Kuhrij, L.S.; Dorleijn, D.M.J.; Sande, M.A.J. van de; Bodegom-Vos, L. van; Marang-van de Mheen, P.J. 2023
Introduction: Follow-up (FU) in soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) patients is designed for early detection of disease recurrence. Current guidelines are not evidenced-based and not tailored to patient or... Show moreIntroduction: Follow-up (FU) in soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) patients is designed for early detection of disease recurrence. Current guidelines are not evidenced-based and not tailored to patient or tumor characteristics, so they remain debated, particularly given concerns about cost, radiation frequency, and over-testing. This study assesses the extent to which STS patients received guideline-concordant FU and to characterize which type of patients received more or fewer visits than advised. Methods: All STS patients surgically treated at the Leiden University Medical Center between 2000–2020 were included. For each patient, along with individual characteristics, all radiological examinations from FU start up to 5 years were included and compared to guidelines. Recurrence was defined as local/regional recurrence or metastasis. Results: A total of 394 patients was included, of whom 250 patients had a high-grade tumor (63.5%). Only 24% of patients received the advised three FU visits in the first year. More FU visits were observed in younger patients and those diagnosed with a high-grade tumor. Among patients with a recurrence, 10% received fewer visits than advised, while 28% of patients without a recurrence received more visits than advised. Conclusions: A minority of STS patients received guideline-concordant FU visits, suggesting that clinicians seem to incorporate recurrence risk in decisions on FU frequency. Show less
Aim: This study was interested in extremity leiomyosarcoma with focus on clinical outcome after surgery with or without adjuvant therapy. Patients and Methods: A retrospective case series of all... Show moreAim: This study was interested in extremity leiomyosarcoma with focus on clinical outcome after surgery with or without adjuvant therapy. Patients and Methods: A retrospective case series of all patients with leiomyosarcoma, surgically treated between 2000 and 2015 and a minimum follow-up of 2 years, was drawn from institutional databases in Belgium and the Netherlands. Postoperative complications were reported with the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and the Henderson classification. Results: Seventy-five patients were operated on, of whom 47 underwent (neo)adjuvant therapy. Infection was observed in 11 patients, seven associated with (neo)adjuvant radiotherapy. Dermatological complaints vvere observed in 26 patients, 10 associated with (neo)adjuvant radiotherapy. Overall survival was 60%. Local recurrence occurred in 11 (15%) patients. Conclusion: This study describes favourable clinical outcome following (neo)adjuvant radiotherapy. In the future, larger databases on leiomyosarcoma should enhance the power of these findings and define the benefits of adjuvant therapy in leiomyosarcoma. Show less
