PurposeWe wanted to examine the potential of the Scandinavian Sarcoma Group (SSG) Central Register, and evaluate referral and treatment practice for soft-tissue sarcomas in the extremities and trunk wall (STS) in the Nordic countries.BackgroundBased on incidence rates from the literature, 8,150 (7,000–9,300) cases of STS of the extremity and trunk wall should have been diagnosed in Norway, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden from 1987 through 2011. The SSG Register has 6,027 cases registered from this period, with 5,837 having complete registration of key variables. 10 centers have been reporting to the Register. The 5 centers that consistently report treat approximately 90% of the cases in their respective regions. The remaining centers have reported all the patients who were treated during certain time periods, but not for the entire 25-year period.Results59% of patients were referred to a sarcoma center untouched, i.e. before any attempt at open biopsy. There was an improvement from 52% during the first 5 years to 70% during the last 5 years. 50% had wide or better margins at surgery. Wide margins are now achieved less often than 20 years ago, in parallel with an increase in the use of radiotherapy. For the centers that consistently report, 97% of surviving patients are followed for more than 4 years. Metastasis-free survival (MFS) increased from 67% to 73% during the 25-year period.InterpretationThe Register is considered to be representative of extremity and trunk wall sarcoma disease in the population of Scandinavia, treated at the reporting centers. There were no clinically significant differences in treatment results at these centers.

The overall aim of the project was to study pregnant women's knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy and childbirth and actions taken in case danger signs occurred. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. A questionnaire was administered at the antenatal care clinic (ANC). Non-participant observations of the midwives at the ANC were also performed. Individual interviews were conducted with pregnant and newly delivered women as well as with clinical officers. A retrospective study of maternity records was also conducted. A majority of the women attended their first ANC visit late in the pregnancy. Women's general knowledge of danger signs was low. A lack of discrepancy between common pregnancy related and dangerous symptoms was noted. The observations revealed that little or no health education concerning danger signs were given and inadequate examination of the women were conducted. The ANC reaches around 92% off the pregnant women. This provides an ideal opportunity for information on danger signs and when and where to seek care. It is important to encourage early ANC attendance and complete examinations in order to identify high-risk pregnancies and prevent treatable illnesses.