This study investigated quality of life (QoL) and function of 124 patients with lower extremity sarcoma who underwent either amputation or limb-salvage surgery (LSS) in order to assess potential differences in subjective treatment outcome. The results reflect similar QoL in both treatment groups. However, in contrast to patients with LSS, who described QoL in terms of a high physical performance status with sports and recreational activities, amputees' QoL was strongly associated with their social acceptability. High QoL in amputees brings into question the expectations held with time-consuming advanced technical skills for LSS by physicians.