ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Minerva Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2002 March;53(1):11-8

Copyright © 2002 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Local management of clinical data of bone and soft tissue tumors in a regional oncological network center

Marone S., Albertini U., Imazio P., Forni G., Linari A., Pucci A., Gino G., Faletti C., Comandone A., Boglione P., Brach Del Prever E. M.

Background. An experimental database for the management of clinical data of patients affected by bone and soft tissue tumors referring to a center of the Piedmont's regional oncological network has been implemented to simplify the transmission of data to a national register and to optimize the management of single cases treated in the regional center.
Methods. The software is designed over the database program of the Istituto Rizzoli of Bologna. As an example, the processing of anagraphical and epidemiological data has been shown as well as diagnosis, anatomical site of the tumor and staging according to the Ennek-ing Staging System of 171 patients observed by to the workgroup in 2000-2001.
Results. The group consisted of 85 males, 86 females, median age 48 years (minimum 9, maximum 86); 82% were from the Turin province, 12% from Piedmont, 6% from other regions. Bone lesions were 37%, soft tissue lesions 63%. Bone sarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas affected the upper limb respectively for 16% and 9%, lower limbs (including pelvis) 84% and 85%. 16 patients were in stage I (9 IA, 7 IB), 24 in stage II (1 IIA, 23 IIB) and 8 in stage III; 89 patients were in stage 1, 2 or 3 (benign tumors).
Conclusions. This experimental database could become a useful working tool not only for the retrospective analysis of data about groups of patients, but also an aid for the management of the single patient, thanks to the integration of histological, imaging and treatment data, which will make easier the collaboration among the various experts involved in the treatment of these diseases as well as the national and international collaboration.