Quality of life and psychosocial adjustment of young patients after treatment of bone cancer

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to collect information about the psychosocial situation of young patients after multimodality therapy for bone cancer.

Methods: Selection criteria for patients were ages 15-30 years, tumor localization at the extremities, and an interval of at least 1 year since the end of treatment. Of 110 patients, 60 were willing to participate. Evaluation of psychosocial quality of life included assessment of psychosocial adjustment and age-appropriate achievements as well as identification of problems typical for this patient group.

Results: Approximately 80% of patients revealed, at the very most, only minor psychosocial problems. They were able to adapt well to their new living conditions, although strong efforts were necessary for them to deal with problems such as restricted mobility, catching up with school, or changing jobs or job orientation. Differences between patients and control subjects emerged in the areas of marital status, independent living, and parenthood. The most recently determined levels of education and income were similar. Neither clinical data nor physical or functional sequelae affected psychosocial adjustment, with one exception: patients diagnosed in adolescence had significantly more problems, especially in the area of social well-being, than patients diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood.

Conclusions: Given the limitations of this study, the findings suggest that survivors of bone cancer are not necessarily at risk of developing long term emotional or social problems and are not precluded from leading active and independent lives.