Surgical Outcomes in Paediatric Lower Limb Sarcomas: A Single Institutional Experience

Primary bone sarcomas are rare tumours, comprising approximately 1-2% of adult and around 13-15% of all paediatric cancers. Limb salvage surgery is a challenge in complex musculoskeletal tumours. Young age adds to its complexity, since the growth potential of the reconstruct has to be considered to have optimal function of the salvaged limb. An observational retrospective study performed on 52 paediatric patients between Jan 2011 and Dec 2018 with malignant bone tumour of lower limbs had been assessed for postoperative functional outcomes with questionnaires and clinico-radiological examination for functional and oncological outcome. Out of 52 patients, 44 (85%) were diagnosed with osteosarcoma and the rest (15%) were diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma. Mean age was 12.88 years. Three-year overall survival rate was found to be 61.73%. Fifteen patients (28%) had metastasis at the time of presentation; non-metastasis patients (56.33 months) had a higher mean survival time, as compared to metastasis patient (29.06 months). Overall survival in group of patients undergoing biological, prosthesis and amputation surgeries were found to be similar. Mean MSTS score at final follow-up was 24.05 (80.1%), and in our study, 3.85% (2 out of 52) had local recurrence, and local recurrence free rate was found to be 96.15% (50 out of 52). The present study had excellent functional and oncological outcome at final follow-up which is comparable to the world literature. Complete surgical resection, if feasible, remains essential for cure.