Comparison of clinical outcome between surgical treatment and particle beam therapy for pelvic bone sarcomas: A retrospective multicenter study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have compared the clinical outcomes of patients with pelvic bone sarcomas treated surgically and those treated with particle beam therapy. This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study which compared the clinical outcomes of patients with pelvic bone sarcoma who underwent surgical treatment and particle beam therapy in Japan. METHODS: A total of 116 patients with pelvic bone sarcoma treated at 19 specialized sarcoma centers in Japan were included in this study. Fifty-seven patients underwent surgery (surgery group), and 59 patients underwent particle beam therapy (particle beam group; carbon-ion radiotherapy: 55 patients, proton: four patients). RESULTS: The median age at primary tumor diagnosis was 52 years in the surgery group and 66 years in the particle beam group (P < 0.001), and the median tumor size was 9 cm in the surgery group and 8 cm in the particle beam group (P = 0.091). Overall survival (OS), local control (LC), and metastasis-free survival (MFS) rates were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared among 116 patients with bone sarcoma (surgery group, 57 patients; particle beam group, 59 patients). After propensity score matching, the 3-year OS, LC, and MFS rates were 82.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 60.5-93.2%), 66.0% (95% CI, 43.3-81.3%), and 78.4% (95% CI, 55.5-90.5%), respectively, in the surgery group and 64.9% (95% CI, 41.7-80.8%), 86.4% (95% CI, 63.3-95.4%), and 62.6% (95% CI, 38.5-79.4%), respectively, in the particle beam group. In chordoma patients, only surgery was significantly correlated with worse LC in the univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The groups had no significant differences in the OS, LC, and MFS rates. Among the patients with chordomas, the 3-year LC rate in the particle beam group was significantly higher than in the surgery group.

Utilizing the Metaverse to Provide Innovative Psychosocial Support for Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Patients with Rare Cancer.

This study investigated the potential of the metaverse in providing psychological support for pediatric and AYA cancer patients, with a focus on those with rare cancers. The research involved ten cancer patients and survivors from four distinct regions in Japan, who participated in metaverse sessions using customizable avatars, facilitating interactions across geographical and temporal barriers. Surveys and qualitative feedback were collected to assess the psychosocial impact of the intervention. The results demonstrated that the metaverse enabled patients to connect with peers, share experiences, and receive emotional support. The anonymity provided by avatars helped reduce appearance-related anxiety and stigma associated with cancer treatment. A case study of a 19-year-old male with spinal Ewing's sarcoma highlighted the profound emotional relief fostered by metaverse interactions. The findings suggest that integrating virtual spaces into healthcare models can effectively address the unique needs of pediatric and AYA cancer patients, offering a transformative approach to delivering psychosocial support and fostering a global patient community. This innovative intervention has the potential to revolutionize patient care in the digital age.