Counting the cost: addressing financial toxicity in sarcoma

Financial toxicity (FT) is a critical yet underrecognised patient-reported outcome (PRO) encompassing cancer-related financial burden and ensuing patient distress. Patients diagnosed with sarcoma have a unique convergence of risk factors that amplify FT, including prolonged diagnostic workup, treatment at specialist reference centres, and complex, multimodal treatment with considerable morbidity resulting in practical and functional consequences. Recent international guidelines have emphasised the importance of comprehensive cancer care that includes PROs, such as FT. Despite this, FT remains inadequately assessed and managed in sarcoma care. In this article, we explore the financial challenges faced by sarcoma patients and outline a systematic, four-step approach to address FT and improve holistic patient care.