Goals of work
Long-term outcomes of osteosarcoma have dramatically improved with the use of modern combination therapies. Such aggressive
treatments, however, entail chronic complications. In the present study, we assessed the functional, psychological, and familial
status of long-term survivors of osteosarcoma treated at our institution.
Materials and methods
Fifteen long-term survivors of osteosarcoma were evaluated for functional and psychological sequelae. Functional assessment
was based on a method described by Enneking et al. Psychological assessment was based on General Health Questionnaire 28,
Inventory Scale for Traumatic Neurosis, and Family System Test.
Main results
Ten patients showed mild functional impairments; only five patients were handicapped more seriously. Depressive symptoms were
diagnosed in four patients. A total of six patients revealed unbalanced family structures, including three of the four patients
with depressive symptoms, all four patients with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, and five of seven patients who
showed poor emotional acceptance.
Conclusions
Osteosarcoma survivors will generally recover good functional performance. Only a minority of them remain seriously impaired.
One third of the patients present depressive symptoms and posttraumatic stress disorder. Poor coping is closely associated
with unbalanced family structures. Therefore, the psychological and familial situation of patients with newly diagnosed osteosarcoma
should be carefully assessed.
Keywords Osteosarcoma - Functional outcome - Posttraumatic stress disorder - Depression - Family structure