Aggressive treatment of non-metastatic osteosarcoma improves health-related quality of life in children and adolescents

Pamela S. Hinds, Jami S. Gattuso, Catherine A. Billups, Nancy K. West, Jianrong Wu, Cecilia Rivera, Juan Quintana, Milena Villarroel, Najat C. Daw

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of paediatric patients with osteosarcoma has not been documented longitudinally during treatment. Aims of this prospective study were to assess treatment effects on patients' HRQOL at diagnosis, during therapy and after completion of therapy, to assess sex- and age-related differences in HRQOL ratings and to assess differences between patients' and parents' reports. Patients and methods: Sixty-six patients (median age, 13.4 years) with newly diagnosed, localised disease completed three HRQOL instruments, and their parents completed two of the same instruments at diagnosis, before surgery (Week 12), at Week 23 and a median of 20 weeks after treatment completion. Results: Significant improvements in most domains and worsening of nausea were reported by patients and parents from diagnosis to Weeks 12 and 23. Symptom distress decreased from diagnosis to Weeks 12 and 23 in 81% and 64% of patients, respectively. There were no sex- and few age-related differences in scores. Scores from patients and parents achieved good agreement. Conclusions: The HRQOL of patients improves during aggressive treatment for non-metastatic osteosarcoma, except in the domain of nausea. Clinicians can use these findings to prepare their patients for the distressing symptoms that they will likely experience at certain time points and to provide reassurance that these will significantly improve.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2007-2014
Number of pages8
JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer
Volume45
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2009

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was supported by Cancer Center Support Grant CA21765 and Grant CA23099 from the National Cancer Institute and by the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC).

Keywords

  • Health-related quality of life
  • Osteosarcoma
  • Paediatric
  • Patients' and parents' reports

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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