title: Prospective assessment of the quality of life in patients treated surgically for rectal cancer with lower anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rectal cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life in patients undergoing surgical treatment for the rectal cancer, either lower anterior or abdominoperineal resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  100 patients suffering from rectal cancer were selected for a prospective study (50-APR, 50-LAR). The quality of life was assessed two times: at the admission to the Department and 6 months following surgery. For assessment of the quality of life, two standard questionnaires were used, EORT QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-C29.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The studied groups were not different with respect to demographic factors. The patients who underwent LAR spent less time in hospital (p = 0.00001). The patients undergoing APR scored less with respect to physical ability (p = 0.0434), cognitive (p = 0.0363) and emotional state (p = 0.0463) and on symptom scale (nausea and vomiting - p: 0.0199, diarrhea - p: 0.0000, constipation (p = 0.0018)); however, the patients who were treated with LAR scored less on pain scale (p = 0.0189). The QLQ-C29 questionnaire revealed impaired functioning of patients 6 months following APR in terms of life chances (p = 0.0000) and problems with body weight (p = 0.0212). In both groups, the quality of life improved 6 months after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LAR is a chance for better quality of life for many patients. Six months after surgery, the quality of life of patients improves regardless of the operating method (APR, LAR).
authors: Department of Surgical Oncology, Collegium Medicum of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Oncology Center in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Monastyrska
authors: Department of Rehabilitation, Collegium Medicum of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland.
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Hagner
authors: Department of Surgical Oncology, Collegium Medicum of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Oncology Center in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Jankowski
authors: Department of Rehabilitation, Collegium Medicum of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland. Electronic address: iwona.glowacka@cm.umk.pl.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Głowacka
authors: Department of Dermatology and Cosmetology, Collegium Medicum of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Zegarska
authors: Department of Surgical Oncology, Collegium Medicum of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Oncology Center in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Zegarski
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010502:Perineum / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Abdominoperineal resection; Lower anterior resection; Quality of life; Rectal cancer