Key result
Preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer patients was associated with significantly worse impotence (effect 33.20, P<0.001) and dyspareunia (effect 39.01, P=0.001) at 1 year compared to surgery alone.
Why the study?
The study was conducted to prospectively evaluate the effect of preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery versus surgery alone on patient-reported outcomes 1 year after surgery in patients with rectal cancer.
Does preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery worsen patient-reported outcomes at 1 year compared to surgery alone in patients with rectal cancer?
Population
1635 patients with rectal cancer
Comparison
Preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery vs surgery alone
Design
Multicentre prospective observational cohort study
Follow-up
12 months after surgery
Authors
Loading...
May support counseling on sexual risks before preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer; leaves open causal confirmation in randomized trials.
Cohort (n=1,635)
Yes
Does preoperative radiotherapy followed by surgery worsen patient-reported outcomes at 1 year compared to surgery alone in patients with rectal cancer?
p-value: p=<0.001 for impotence; 0.001 for dyspareunia
Preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer significantly impairs bowel and sexual function at 1 year post-surgery compared to surgery alone, supporting its limitation to high-risk patients.
Siegel et al. (2025) conducted a cohort in Rectal cancer (n=1,635). Preoperative radiotherapy vs. Surgery alone was evaluated on Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) 1 year after surgery (p=<0.001 for impotence; 0.001 for dyspareunia). Preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer patients was associated with significantly worse impotence (effect 33.20, P<0.001) and dyspareunia (effect 39.01, P=0.001) at 1 year compared to surgery alone.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: