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Survival and Quality of Life Following Treatment for Sarcoma

  • Hematology/Oncology (C Cole, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Advances in multimodality therapy have improved the survival rates of pediatric sarcomas over the last 40 years, with current rates over 65 %. However, the advances have not been equal, and patients with metastatic and relapsed disease continue to have a poor prognosis. This review focuses on the epidemiology, prognostic factors, treatment, and survival of the three most common pediatric sarcomas: osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. It highlights a new collaboration to study osteosarcoma, recent advances in Ewing sarcoma treatment with increased intensity of chemotherapy timing, and advances in low-risk and high-risk rhabdomyosarcoma treatment. Additionally, it discusses the common treatment-related sequelae encountered in survivors. Sarcoma survivors have increased functional impairment and activity limitations compared with healthy controls and other cancer survivors, emphasizing the need to increase research in these areas in order to improve future physical functioning and quality of life.

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Karen E. Effinger declares that she has no conflict of interest.

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  1. Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Stanford University, 1000 Welch Rd, Suite 300, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA

    Karen E. Effinger

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Correspondence to Karen E. Effinger.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Hematology/Oncology.

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Effinger, K.E. Survival and Quality of Life Following Treatment for Sarcoma. Curr Pediatr Rep 3, 119–127 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40124-015-0074-z

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