Quality of Life in Survivors of a Primary Bone Tumour:A Systematic Review

[摘要] Purpose.We conducted a systematic search of published literature,to assess (i) quality of life (QoL) for survivors of a bone tumour compared with the normalpopulation; (ii) QoL implications following amputation, successful or failed limb salvage; (iii) adaptation of young children to amputation compared with older children or adolescents.Methods.Electronic databases were searched including Medline,PsycLIT and Cinahl covering the years 1982– 1998.Results.We identified 11 studies. Regardless of treatment, physicalfunctioning was poor compared with population norms or healthy siblings.There was lessconsistent evidence regarding emotional functioning. Seven studies compared functioningin amputees and limb salvage patients.Two reported advantages in physical function for thelimb salvage group, one for the amputees and the rest no differences. Evidence about socialfunctioning or marriage is inconclusive, but there are suggestions that amputees report morejob discrimination.Discussion.The literature is inconclusive, largely because ofmethodological problems. These include small and non-representative samples, and lack ofsensitive and appropriate measures. Specific gaps in the literature include very little work concerned with psychological outcomes for children, or for those experiencing failed limb salvage. More attention needs to be given to gender differences in emotional response to traumatic surgery.The implications of the results for helping families balance the merits of different treatments are discussed.

[学科分类] 肿瘤学