Evaluation of quality of life (QOL) in long-term survivors of high-grade osteosarcoma: a Japanese single center experience.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) in long-term survivors of high-grade osteosarcoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS The QOL of 33 long-term survivors of osteosarcoma was evaluated using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey Questionnaire. The patients were divided into a limb-sparing group (14 patients) and an amputation group (19 patients), and the QOL was compared between them. In addition, limb function was assessed using the system for functional evaluation of the limb of the American Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS score), and the relationship between the MSTS score and SF-36 scores was studied. RESULTS The QOL of all patients was lower than the national standard concerning physical functioning but was higher than the national standards in the other parameters. The QOL of the limb-sparing group was significantly better than that of the amputation group with regard to social functioning. No significant correlation was noted between the MSTS score and the mental component summary. CONCLUSION The QOL of the long-term survivors of osteosarcoma was satisfactory except for physical functioning. Limb-sparing surgery improved the QOL of long-term survivors of osteosarcoma with regard to social functioning, but no correlation was noted between limb function and mental QOL.