Psychological Outcomes in Survivors of Extremity Sarcomas Following Amputation or Limb-Sparing Surgery

  • William W. Weddington
Chapter
Part of the Cancer Treatment and Research book series (CTAR, volume 56)

Abstract

Remarkable progress has occurred regarding surgical techniques and the use of radiation therapy or chemotherapy for the treatment of extremity sarcomas [1, 2, 3]. Most patients with extremity sarcomas now have a treatment option of limb-salvage procedures in addition to amputation. Indeed, tumor resection combined with chemotherapy or irradiation have become the treatment of choice for most extremity soft tissue sarcomas [4]. However, patients undergoing limb-salvage surgery require longer periods of anesthesia, several operations, longer hospitalizations, and, consequently, a greater incidence of complications [5]. Yet limb-salvage surgery is increasingly being advocated by surgeons [4], and patients are choosing limb-salvage procedures, perhaps due to a presumption that limb salvage offers preferred outcomes regarding functioning and psychological reactions [6]. Implicit in the endorsement of limb-salvage surgery are presumed psychological advantages of limb-salvage surgery, coupled with an assumption that there are adverse psychological consequences to limb amputation.

Keywords

Limb Salvage Limb Amputation Bone Sarcoma Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma Extremity Sarcoma 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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© Springer Science+Business Media New York 1991

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  • William W. Weddington

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