Quality of life and function after rectal cancer surgery with and without sphincter preservation Journal Article


Authors: Pappou, E. P.; Temple, L. K.; Patil, S.; Smith, J. J.; Wei, I. H.; Nash, G. M.; Guillem, J. G.; Widmar, M.; Weiser, M. R.; Paty, P. B.; Schrag, D.; Garcia-Aguilar, J.
Article Title: Quality of life and function after rectal cancer surgery with and without sphincter preservation
Abstract: Despite improvements in surgical techniques, functional outcomes and quality of life after therapy for rectal cancer remain suboptimal. We sought to prospectively evaluate the effect of bowel, bladder, and sexual functional outcomes on health-related quality of life (QOL) in patients with restorative versus non-restorative resections after rectal cancer surgery. A cohort of 211 patients with clinical stage I-III rectal cancer who underwent open surgery between 2006 and 2009 at Memorial Sloan Kettering were included. Subjects were asked to complete surveys preoperatively and at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Validated instruments were used to measure QOL, bowel, bladder, and sexual function. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses evaluated predictors of 24- month QOL. In addition, longitudinal trends over the study period were evaluated using repeated measures models. In total, 180 patients (85%) completed at least 1 survey, and response rates at each time point were high (>70%). QOL was most impaired at 6 and 12 months and returned to baseline levels at 24 months. Among patients who underwent sphincter-preserving surgery (SPS; n=153 [85%]), overall bowel function at 24 months was significantly impaired and never returned to baseline. There were no differences in QOL at 24 months between patients who underwent SPS and those who did not (p=.29). Bowel function was correlated with QOL at 24 months (Pearson correlation,.41; p<.001). QOL among patients who have undergone SPS for rectal cancer is good despite poor function. Patients with ostomies are able to adjust to the functional changes and, overall, have good global QOL. Patients with low anastomoses had lower global QOL at 24 months than patients with permanent stomas. Our findings can help patients set expectations about function and quality of life after surgery for rectal cancer with and without a permanent stoma. Copyright © 2022 Pappou, Temple, Patil, Smith, Wei, Nash, Guillem, Widmar, Weiser, Paty, Schrag and Garcia-Aguilar.
Keywords: quality of life; rectal cancer; mskcc = memorial sloan–kettering cancer center; lars – low anterior resektion syndrom; patient reported clinical outcomes
Journal Title: Frontiers in Oncology
Volume: 12
ISSN: 2234-943X
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.  
Date Published: 2022-10-21
Start Page: 944843
Language: English
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.944843
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC9639454
PUBMED: 36353560
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 1 December 2022 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Philip B Paty
    496 Paty
  2. Deborah Schrag
    229 Schrag
  3. Martin R Weiser
    534 Weiser
  4. Garrett Nash
    261 Nash
  5. Jesse Joshua Smith
    217 Smith
  6. Maria   Widmar
    74 Widmar
  7. Emmanouil Pappou
    89 Pappou
  8. Iris Hsin - chu Wei
    64 Wei