A study on factors affecting the functional outcome in patients with soft tissue sarcoma: experience from a tertiary care centre

Suresh Kumar D.; Navin Noushad S.; Sathik Mohamed Masoodu K.; Vishwanathan M. P.

doi:10.18203/issn.2455-4510.IntJResOrthop20253419

Authors

Suresh Kumar D. Department of Surgical Oncology, Tamilnadu Government Multisuperspeciality Hospital, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
Navin Noushad S. Department of Surgical Oncology, Tamilnadu Government Multisuperspeciality Hospital, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
Sathik Mohamed Masoodu K. Department of Surgical Oncology, Tamilnadu Government Multisuperspeciality Hospital, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
Vishwanathan M. P. Department of Surgical Oncology, Tamilnadu Government Multisuperspeciality Hospital, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2455-4510.IntJResOrthop20253419

Keywords:

Soft tissue sarcoma, MSTS score, Functional outcomes

Abstract

Background: Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patients undergoing surgery may experience reduced functional outcome compared to the general population. The aim of this study is to evaluate the functional outcome and to determine important predictive factors that affect the post-operative functional outcomes in patients who had undergone surgery for STS.

Methods: Authors retrospectively analysed patients who had undergone surgery between January 2016 to November 2023, in our institution and assessed for post-operative functional outcomes, at the end of 6 months and one year. To evaluate the functional outcomes, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score (MSTS) was used. Established predictive factors like age, size of the tumor and time since surgery were analysed with Multivariate regression analysis.

Results: In the study, a total of 51 patients were assessed with median age of 50 yrs. Age (MSTS score–80 versus 74, p=0.01), size of the tumor (MSTS score–79 versus 74, p=0.03). Time since surgery (significant linear association between functional scores at the end of 6 months and one year, p value=0.0004) were identified as significant predictive factors. Patients who are younger than 40 years, tumor less than 10 cm have better functional outcomes.

Conclusion: Functional outcomes in patients who underwent surgery for STS, improve with time. Patients can be reassured that final functional outcome will be better than early post-operative outcome. Age of the patient, size of the tumor and time since surgery were the most consistent and significant determinants of functional outcome.

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