TriangleFOR PATIENTS · SOURCE READING
Surgery
Source: Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer (PDQ®)–Patient Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: February 12, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.
Amputation or limb-sparing surgery to remove the cancer and prevent it from coming back may cause late effects depending on where the tumor was, age of the patient, and type of surgery. Health problems after amputation or limb-sparing surgery may include:
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having problems with activities of daily living
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not being able to be as active as normal
chronic pain
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problems with the way prosthetics fit or work
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broken bone
additional surgeries later in life
the bone not healing well after surgery
one arm or leg is shorter than the other
Studies show no difference in quality of life for childhood cancer survivors who had amputation compared to those who had limb-sparing surgery.
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Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice