Abstract
The delayed initiation of treatment is associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with malignancies. However, few previous studies have investigated prognostic factors, including the delayed initiation of treatment, in soft-tissue sarcoma. One hundred and fifty-three patients with soft-tissue sarcoma were enrolled. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors predicting metastasis, including factors that delay the initiation of treatment. The multivariate analysis revealed that high histological grade (p<0.01), tumor located in the trunk (p=0.04), >5-month delay from symptom initiation to consultation of general practitioner (p=0.02), and >29-day delay in referral to a specialized hospital by general practitioners (p=0.03) were independently associated with metastasis of soft tissue sarcoma. Early consultation of a general practitioner and early referral to a specialized hospital might be essential for preventing metastasis of soft-tissue sarcoma.
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