title: Curative-intent radiation therapy in anal carcinoma: quality of life and sphincter function.
abstract: In 22 colostomy-free survivors of curative-intent radiation therapy or chemoradiation for anal carcinoma, measurement of the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) revealed a mean 114 of a maximum 144 points, as compared to 121 in healthy volunteers (n = 150) and 113 in patients with benign anorectal diseases (n = 325). Sixteen patients underwent anorectal manometry to determine anal sphincter length (SL), resting pressure (RP), maximum squeeze pressure (MSP), rectal compliance (RC) and relaxation of the internal anal sphincter (RIAS). SL, RP and MSP were significantly lower in anal carcinoma patients than in healthy volunteers. Complete continence was detected in 56% of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vordermark
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sailer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Flentje
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thiede
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kölbl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D001004:Anus Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D001005:Anus Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000502:physiology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011312:Pressure; D011788:Quality of Life; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies