Outcomes in Lower Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients After Limb Salvage

Functional Outcomes and Health Related Quality of Life in Lower Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients After Limb Salvage: A Prospective Study

This study aims to:

1. validate the Finnish version of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scale and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score lower extremity sections and to
2. assess the functional ability and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of lower extremity sarcoma patients who have undergone limb salvage surgery.

The first purpose of this study is to validate the Finnish version of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scale and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score upper extremity sections. The second purpose is to chart the functional capabilities and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of upper extremity sarcoma patients who have undergone limb salvage surgery with local or free flaps.

Patient hospital records are retrospectively reviewed to chart the demographic and clinical data.

The recruitment of patient takes place at the outpatient clinic of Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Hospital. The study includes a cross-sectional assessment at one year follow-up with five validated questionnaires. A follow-up is conducted three years after surgery in the outpatient clinic.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Lower extremity soft tissue sarcoma locating in between hip/gluteus to foot
• No metastasis at the time of diagnosis
• Undergone limb salvage surgery
• A minimum of 1 year follow-up
• Written consent
• Age > 18

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age <18
• No limb-salvage surgery due to sarcoma