[Experiencing and coping with the diagnosis and therapy of a malignant bone tumor and the survival time afterwards]

Six patients who had been treated for osteosarcoma of the lower extremity report their experience and how they mastered diagnosis and therapy as well as the time thereafter. They give information regarding especially the following points: psychological stress during different phases of their disease, aspects of the information they received during treatment, how they felt during therapy and how and where they have received support, wishes, etc.

In order to master the disease as well as the sequelae they need sufficient time and opportunities to express their feelings to others and sufficient understandable informations about examinations, therapy and prognosis. There are large variations in how the individual patient responds to the threat by the disease. The whole period of time with repeated hospitalizations that extends over about one year in retrospect has been judged to be very burdening. Most of the patients feel to be strongly challenged during chemotherapy; physically, they are reduced, are oversensitive and need sensitivity and support by the persons taking care of them. The informations given by the patients allow us to improve treatment and support of patients in the future.