Spiritual well-being is the fourth dimension of health, as equally important as physical, mental, and social well-being. The shadow of death associated with cancer triggers children to explore their personal values, meanings, and life goals throughout the illness trajectory, enabling them to identify their unique spiritual needs. Chinese children are generally non-religious, unlike Western children, which affects their spiritual needs. To address the literature gaps, we applied a qualitative, descriptive, phenomenological approach for exploring the spiritual needs of Chinese children hospitalized with cancer. Purposive sampling was conducted in two public hospitals with special wards for pediatric oncology patients in Hunan Province, China. Consequently, 22 children, hospitalized with cancer, were recruited and individually interviewed using a semi-structured interview format. We conducted a thematic analysis of the interview transcripts. Four important themes were identified: the need for self-exploration, inner needs, need for a connection with others, and need for a connection with gods, supernatural powers, and fictional characters. We found that culture significantly influenced the spiritual needs of Chinese children with cancer. Hope was a key factor motivating the children to continue cancer treatment. To address their unique spiritual needs, culturally specific interventions should be developed and incorporated into their care to enhance their spiritual well-being.

To systematically identify, summarize, and synthesize qualitative evidence on the experiences and needs of patients living with sarcoma, providing insights into their multidimensional challenges. This qualitative meta-synthesis follows the ENTREQ guidelines. Seven electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) were searched up to November 2024. Two reviewers independently conducted the study screening and data extraction. The quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Qualitative Research Standard Assessment tool. Thematic analysis was used for data synthesis. Twenty-seven studies were included in this meta-synthesis. Three analytical themes emerged: (1) "Self-perceived health challenges after diagnosis" highlighting the physical and emotional challenges faced by patients; (2) "Mixed experiences during social interactions" reflecting the complex dynamics in relationships with friends, family, and healthcare providers; and (3) "Unfriendliness in the society towards sarcomas" emphasizing societal barriers such as employment limitations, financial burdens, and stigma. Sarcoma patients face significant challenges that extend beyond the individual health condition, impacting their interpersonal relationships and social wellbeing. A comprehensive understanding of the experiences and needs of sarcoma patients on their disease journey can help provide effective management for patients with this rare disease. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach involving healthcare providers management, organizational change, community support, and public policy reform.