Journal Article

Age-related sarcoma patient experience: results from a national survey in England

Husson, Olga, Roast, Andy, Wilson, Roger, Younger, Eugenie, Jones, Robin L, van der Graaf, Winette TA, Whelan, Jeremy, Bennister, Lindsey

2018

Overview

Background Sarcomas are rare, heterogeneous tumours affecting patients of any age. Previous surveys describe that sarcoma patients report a significantly worse experience than those with common cancers. Consequently, Sarcoma UK conducted a national survey and these data were examined for age- and tumour-related differences in patients’ experiences. Methods Patients were randomly selected from respondents to National Cancer Patient Experience Surveys ( n  = 900). Differences between patient groups according to age (Adolescents and Young Adults [AYA] 18–39 years, middle-aged 40–64 years, elderly 65 + years) and tumour type (soft-tissue [STS] vs. bone]) were analysed with t-tests or chi-square tests. Results Survey response rate was 62% ( n  = 558; STS 75%, bone sarcoma 25%). Delay in diagnosis was reported; 27% patients ( n  = 150) waited > 3 months and initial symptoms were incorrectly interpreted; AYA STS patients were significantly more likely to be treated for another condition, or advised that their symptoms were not serious, than older STS patients. Clinical trial participation was low (6%, n  = 35). Symptom burden was high, most commonly daytime fatigue (48%, n  = 277) and pain (44%, n  = 248). AYAs were significantly more likely to report most side-effects and post-treatment concerns than older patients. Elderly patients were more satisfied with the information and emotional support provided than younger patients, however were significantly less likely to be referred to rehabilitation services. Conclusions This study identifies significant age-related differences in the sarcoma patient journey, which are not only related to variation in tumour-types. These results provide rationale for adopting an age-specific approach to the management of sarcoma patients in order to improve overall patient experience.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Adolescent / Adolescents / Adolescents and young adults / Adult / Age / Age Factors / Age-related / Aged / Aged, 80 and over / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biomedicine / Bone cancer / Bone tumors / Cancer Research / Cancer therapies / Chemotherapy / Cross-Sectional Studies / Demographic aspects / Development and progression / Elderly / England - epidemiology / Epidemiology / Fatigue / Female / Follow-Up Studies / Geriatrics / Health Promotion and Disease Prevention / Humans / Male / Medical prognosis / Medicine/Public Health / Middle Aged / Mortality / Oncology / Osteosarcoma - diagnosis / Osteosarcoma - epidemiology / Osteosarcoma - therapy / Pain / Palliative care / Patient experience / Patient satisfaction / Patients / Polls & surveys / Population / prevention and public health / Public opinion / Quality of life / Rehabilitation / Research Article / Sarcoma / Sarcoma - diagnosis / Sarcoma - epidemiology / Sarcoma - therapy / Soft Tissue Neoplasms - diagnosis / Soft Tissue Neoplasms - epidemiology / Soft Tissue Neoplasms - therapy / Studies / Surgical Oncology / Surveys / Surveys and Questionnaires / Teenagers / Tumors / Young Adult / Young adults