Commonest modes of presentation of bone and soft tissue tumors at sarcoma services of A Tertiary Care Hospital of KPK.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the commonest mode of presentation at our sarcoma unit and the duration from onset of symptoms till presentation. Study Design: Retrospectively study. Setting: Sarcoma Unit of Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. Period: June 2016 to December 2019. Material & Methods: Two hundred and eighty two patients were included in this study of which 172 patients were male and 110 were female. Sample size was calculated through non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Results: Average age of patients presenting to us was 30.2years (±18.5) ranging from 3years to 83years. Highest numbers of patients fell into the age group category of 11-20years i.e. 94 (33.33%). The average duration of symptoms among our patients was 19.6 months (±26.09) ranging from 0.1months (3 days) to 168 months (14years). Highest number of patients fell into the 7months-12months category i.e. 86 patients (30.5%). The commonest mode of presentation among our patients was painful lump i.e. 128(45.3%) while patients presenting with painless lump were 57(20.2%) and those presenting with only pain were 28(9.9%). Conclusion: The study concluded that there is a need of greater awareness amount general population and health care professionals regarding red flag signs and symptoms in order to avoid the delays in diagnosis which may leads to poor prognosis.