Non-Private Health Insurance Predicts Advanced Stage at Presentation and Amputation in Lower Extremity High Grade Bone Sarcoma: A National Cancer Database Study

Introduction Advances in diagnostic and treatment modalities for high grade bone sarcomas (HGBS) of lower extremity (LE) have enabled limb salvage resections as a feasible first-line surgical option. However, amputations are still performed. Impact of amputation on survival and predictive factors for amputation and the stage at presentation for HGBS of LE remain unknown. Methods National Cancer Database was used to extract 5781 cases of high-grade bone sarcoma of the LE from 2004 to 2017. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression were used to determine the impact of amputation on survival. Chi square test and logistic regression were used to assess the correlation of predictive factors with amputation and stage at presentation. Results Amputation [hazard ratio (HR) 1.516; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.259–1.826; p < 0.001] and advanced stage (HR 0.248; 95% CI 0.176–0.351; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of poor overall survival. The impact of amputation on survival was most pronounced for pediatric and adolescents and young adults (AYA) age groups (18% decrease in 10-year survival). Amputation was more likely to be performed among those with nonprivate insurance (HR 1.736; 95% CI 1.191–2.531; p = 0.004), a finding that was mirrored for advanced stage at presentation (HR 0.611; 95% CI 0.414–0.902; p = 0.013). Discussion Amputation is an independent predictor of poor outcomes among patients with HGBS of LE. The impact of amputation on survival is the highest for the pediatric and AYA age group. Nonprivate insurance is associated with increased likelihood of amputation and an advanced stage at presentation among patients with high-grade bone sarcoma of the LE. This is the largest study highlighting insurance-related disparities in this cohort.