Evidence-based follow-up guidelines on repeat imaging for patients with bone sarcomas needed

Sarcoma centers often follow existing international guidelines on the use of repeat imaging in patients with high-grade bone sarcoma despite a lack of evidence, according to a study published in Sarcoma that calls for evidence-based follow-up research that focus on health outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and individualized follow-up algorithms.

Repeat imaging in patients with high-grade bone sarcoma aims to detect recurrent disease or distant metastasis early but exposes patients to ionising radiation and the potential for added stress.

In this study, researched used data from follow-up protocols and a digital questionnaire returned by European Musculo-Skeletal Oncology Society (EMSOS) members of bone tumor centers. All participating centers had a minimum follow-up period of 10 years, with 47.6% of clinics obtaining at local and chest X-ray at every follow-up visit.

The researchers noted variations in follow-up intervals and used use of repeated imaging with ionising radiation amongst national guidelines used.

Reference
Goedhart LM, Leithner A, Ploegmakers JJW, Jutte PC. Follow-up in bone sarcoma care: A cross-sectional European study. Sarcoma. 2020;2020:2040347. doi:10.1155/2020/2040347