Factors affecting quality of life in rectal cancer survivors who have undergone laparoscopic surgery: patient-reported outcomes over 10 years at a single institution
Cohort study reveals high long-term quality of life in rectal cancer survivors after laparoscopic surgery, suggesting minimal impact from colostomy or adjuvant therapy.
Key Points
To assess long-term patient-reported quality of life and functional outcomes in rectal cancer survivors following laparoscopic surgery, including the impact of colostomy and adjuvant treatments.
Surveyed 141 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer between 2005 and 2015 at a single institution (median follow-up: 58 months; mean age: 67 years).
Evaluated functional outcomes and quality of life using European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 questionnaires.
Of 118 respondents (83.7% response rate; 101 completed, 17 declined, 12 deceased, 11 lost to follow-up), the median overall quality of life score was 6 out of 7, with 4.5% reporting a poor score (<4).
Specific late symptoms were relatively infrequent, including sexual dysfunction in 10.9%, rectal/perianal pain in 3.6%, and urinary symptoms in 2.7% of respondents.
No significant differences in global quality of life, functional, or symptom scores were observed between treatment modalities, including between patients with an end colostomy and those with restored intestinal continuity.