Quality of life after surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases.
BACKGROUND
The surgical approach to colorectal liver metastases is becoming increasingly aggressive. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the impact of surgery on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with colorectal liver metastases.


METHODS
HRQoL data from 97 patients with colorectal liver metastases were analysed. Sixty patients (group 1) had surgical treatment of the liver metastases. Seventeen patients (group 2) were shown to have inoperable disease at laparotomy. Twenty outpatients with inoperable disease were included as a control group (group 3). Two validated HRQoL instruments, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core questionnaire (QLQ C-30) and the EuroQol-5D, were applied.


RESULTS
By 2 weeks after operation patients in group 1 showed a clear overall deterioration in HRQoL, but after 3 months most HRQoL scores had returned to baseline levels. At 2 weeks after surgery there was clear deterioration in almost all HRQoL domains in group 2, and several symptoms were still being reported at 3 months. Patients in group 3 showed hardly any deterioration in HRQoL over the 3 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The fast recovery of HRQoL, generally within 3 months, justifies an aggressive surgical approach to colorectal liver metastases. However, careful preoperative evaluation is crucial to avoid needless laparotomy, considering the ongoing deteriorated HRQoL of group 2.
Langenhoff
B S
BS
Department of Surgery, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Krabbe
P F M
PF
Peerenboom
L
L
Wobbes
T
T
Ruers
T J M
TJ
D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires