Introduction: Changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during the diagnostic and treatment trajectory of high-grade extremity soft-tissue sarcoma (eSTS) has rarely been investigated for adults (18–65 y) and the elderly (aged ≥65 y), despite a potential variation in challenges from diverse levels of physical, social, or work-related activities. This study assesses HRQoL from time of diagnosis to one year thereafter among adults and the elderly with eSTS. Methods: HRQoL of participants from the VALUE-PERSARC trial (n = 97) was assessed at diagnosis and 3, 6 and 12 months thereafter, utilizing the PROMIS Global Health (GH), PROMIS Physical Function (PF) and EQ-5D-5L. Results: Over time, similar patterns were observed in all HRQoL measures, i.e., lower HRQoL scores than the Dutch population at baseline (PROMIS-PF:46.8, PROMIS GH-Mental:47.3, GH-Physical:46.2, EQ-5D-5L:0.76, EQ-VAS:72.6), a decrease at 3 months, followed by an upward trend to reach similar scores as the general population at 12 months (PROMIS-PF:49.9, PROMIS GH-Physical:50.1, EQ-5D-5L:0.84, EQ-VAS:81.5), except for the PROMIS GH-Mental (47.5), where scores remained lower than the general population mean (T = 50). Except for the PROMIS-PF, no age-related differences were observed. Conclusions: On average, eSTS patients recover well physically from surgery, yet the mental component demonstrates no progression, irrespective of age. These results underscore the importance of comprehensive care addressing both physical and mental health.@en

Background. The majority of the benign and malignant lesions in the breast arise from the ductal epithelium and terminal ductlobular unit. A minimally invasive procedure called ductoscopy is able to visualize these lesions as it inspects the ductal epithelium using a small micro-endoscope. Unfortunately, it is currently challenging to obtain a tissue sample during ductoscopy and reach the most distal duct. Methods. In this study we have, therefore, developed a novel miniature (∅1.2 mm) biopsy needle that can be used during ductoscopy. This biopsy needle consists of two coaxial counter-rotating hollow blades with a distal cutout to resect lesions from the ductal wall. Three cutouts were manufactured resulting in a beveled, straight, and reverse-beveled blade. The blades were actuated using a novel mechanism containing two helical paths that allows for the counter-rotating motion of the blades at different velocities. In a proof-of-principle experiment, the performance of the biopsy needle was evaluated using a polymeric duct model and gelatin tissue phantom. Results. During the experiment, the straight and reverse-beveled blades were able to obtain a sufficiently large tissue sample for histopathological examination. Based on these promising results, a second experiment was performed in which the micro-endoscope was integrated in the needle and we were able to take a biopsy from a chicken breast. Conclusions. In a future clinical instrument, the biopsy needle will be miniaturized and optimized to allow for an efficient, safe, and effective intraductal biopsy procedure without the need for an invasive excisional biopsy procedure.@en