Clinical and Radiological Trajectories at the End of Life in Patients with Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Retrospective Case Series

Abstract

Objectives:

To provide detailed characteristics of advanced malignant bone and soft tissue tumors at the end of life.

Design:

A retrospective case series analysis.

Subject:

We included 24 patients who presented to our department between 2014 and 2024, were diagnosed with malignant bone or soft tissue tumors, and died from tumor-related causes.

Results:

The mean age was 57.8 ± 15.6 years at death. Acute-onset events requiring emergency admission within three months before death occurred in 91.7%. The reasons for emergency admission included dyspnea due to malignant pleural effusion, sepsis, paraplegia, gastrointestinal bleeding, bone marrow dysfunction, difficulty moving due to pain, acute renal failure, and pulmonary thromboembolism.

Conclusions:

Patients with advanced sarcoma experience an exceptionally high rate of acute-onset events and emergency admissions in their final months. Emergency hospitalization provides an opportunity to consider transitioning to palliative care.