Registry-based study comparing health-related quality of life between patients with primary rectal cancer and locally recurrent rectal cancer

AIM

National clinical registries offer the benefits of a comprehensive dataset, particularly when linked with patient-reported outcome (PRO) data. This aim of this study was to utilise UK registry data to assess cross-sectional differences in health-related quality of life (HrQoL) in patients with primary rectal (PRC) and locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were extracted from the COloRECTal cancer Repository (CORECT-R) and the Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer - Quality of Life (LRRC-QoL) datasets. Propensity score matching was undertaken in a 1:1 ratio using two covariates: age and sex. The primary outcome was the FACT-C Colorectal Cancer Subscale (CCS). Statistical significance was determined using p < 0.05 and clinical significance using effect size (ES) and minimally important clinical difference (MCID).

RESULTS

A matched cohort with 72 patients in each group was identified. Overall FACT-C CCS scores were worse in patients with LRRC from a statistical (11.80 vs 18.03, p < 0.001) and clinically meaningful perspective (ES 1.63, MCID 6.23). Patients with PRC reported better digestion (p < 0.001, ES 0.85), better control over their bowels (p < 0.001, ES 1.03) and increased appetite (p < 0.001, ES 1.74, MCID 2.08). Patients with LRRC reported worse stomach swelling (p < 0,001, ES 0.97) and more diarrhoea (p < 0.001, ES 0.92), however they reported better body image (p < 0.001, ES 0.80).

CONCLUSION

Patients with LRRC reported significantly worse overall scores in the FACT-C CCS from both a statistical and clinical perspective, demonstrating the ability of the FACT-C to distinguish between these patient groups and the benefits of the inclusion of PROs within colorectal cancer registries, specifically including patients with advanced/recurrent disease.

A systematic review of the social impact of diseases in Nordic countries

BACKGROUND

We review the literature on the social impacts of diseases, defined as the social consequences of having a disease on the people around the patient, such as spouses, caregivers and offspring. The two objectives of this study are to summarise the social outcomes commonly associated with diseases and to compare the social impact across a range of diseases.

METHODS

A systematic review of the social impact of disease in Nordic countries was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar (PROSPERO registration number CRD42022291796). All articles that met the inclusion criteria were reviewed. We tabulated all outcomes and diseases studied, and synthesised the evidence based on the perspectives of patients, spouse/caregiver and offspring.

RESULTS

A total of 135 studies met the eligibility criteria, covering 76 diseases and 39 outcomes. From the patient's perspective, diseases impact divorce and marriage rates, social functioning, likelihood of committing a crime and being a victim of crime. From the caregiver's perspective, diseases affect their health-related quality of life and physical and psychological health. From the offspring's perspective, diseases impact their development, health and social adversities in later life. Diseases generally had negative social impacts, but there were some diseases associated with positive impacts.

CONCLUSIONS

The review provides a useful summary and gross comparison of the social impact of different diseases. The social impact of diseases can be large and significant. Thus, it should be considered when policymakers are setting priorities across disease areas.

Patient-reported outcomes after pelvic exenteration for colorectal cancer: A systematic review

AIM

Pelvic exenteration (PE) carries high morbidity. Our aim was to analyse the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in PE patients.

METHOD

Search strategies were protocolized and registered in PROSPERO. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched with the terms 'patient reported outcomes', 'pelvic exenteration' and 'colorectal cancer'. Studies published after 1980 reporting on PROMs for at least 10 PE patients were considered. Study selection, data extraction, rating of certainty of evidence (GRADE) and risk of bias (ROBINS-I) were performed independently by two reviewers.

RESULTS

Nineteen of 173 studies were included (13 retrospective, six prospective). All studies were low to very low quality, with an overall moderate/serious risk of bias. Studies included data on 878 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (n = 344), recurrent rectal cancer (n = 411) or cancer of unknown type (n = 123). Thirteen studies used validated questionnaires, four used non-validated measures and two used both. Questionnaires included the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal questionnaire (n = 6), Short Form Health Survey (n = 6), European Organization for Research and Treatment for Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (n = 6), EORTC-CR38 (n = 4), EORTC-BLM30 (n = 1), Brief Pain Inventory (n = 2), Short Form 12 (n = 1), Assessment of Quality of Life (n = 1), Short Form Six-Dimension (n = 1), the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Sphincter Function Scale (n = 1), the Cleveland Global Quality of Life (n = 1) or other (n = 4). Timing varied between studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Whilst the use of validated questionnaires increased over time, this study shows that there is a need for uniform use and timing of PROMs to enable multicentre studies.

Quality of life and anterior resection syndrome after surgery for mid to low rectal cancer: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to analyze the quality of life (QoL), low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) and fecal incontinence after surgery for mid to low rectal cancer and its relationship with the type of surgical procedure performed.

METHODS

A cross-sectional cohort survey study of 358 patients operated on for mid to low rectal cancer. Patients were included in three groups: abdominoperineal resection (APR), low mechanical colorectal anastomosis (CRA) and hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis (CAA). The QLQ-C30/CR29 questionnaires, LARS and Vaizey scores were used to study QoL and defecatory dysfunction. Multivariable analysis was used to estimate the prognostic effect of the variables on QoL and LARS scores.

RESULTS

62.6% of the patients answered the survey. The global QoL score was similar among APR, CRA and CAA. Patients' body image perception was significantly worse after APR than after CRA or CAA. LARS score was better in CRA group (p = 0.002). A major LARS was observed in 83.3% of the patients who underwent CAA and in 56.6% of the patients who underwent CRA. No relationship between surgical procedures and the global QoL score was observed. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy (p = 0.048) and CAA (p = 0.005) were associated with a major LARS. The Vaizey score was higher for CAA than for CRA (p = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

Though CAA group presents worse LARS and higher faecal incontinence scores respect CRA patients, and APR is related with a worse body image, global QoL was similar in the three groups.

Systemic Chemotherapy as Salvage Treatment for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients Who Fail to Respond to Standard Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND

The potential of chemotherapy as salvage treatment after failure of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) has never been explored. We conducted a single-center, retrospective analysis to address this question.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with newly diagnosed LARC who were inoperable or candidates for extensive (i.e., beyond total mesorectal excision [TME]) surgery after long-course chemoradiotherapy and who received salvage chemotherapy were included. The primary objective was to estimate the proportion of patients who became suitable for TME after chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients were eligible (39 candidates for extensive surgery and 6 unresectable). Previous radiotherapy was given concurrently with chemotherapy in 43 cases (median dose: 54.0 Gy). Oxaliplatin- and irinotecan-based salvage chemotherapy was administered in 40 (88.9%) and 5 (11.1%) cases, respectively. Eight patients (17.8%) became suitable for TME after chemotherapy, 10 (22.2%) ultimately underwent TME with clear margins, and 2 (4.4%) were managed with a watch and wait approach. Additionally, 13 patients had extensive surgery with curative intent. Three-year progression-free survival and 5-year overall survival in the entire population were 30.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.0-46.0) and 44.0% (95% CI: 26.0-61.0), respectively. For the curatively resected and "watch and wait" patients, these figures were 52.0% (95% CI: 27.0-73.0) and 67.0% (95% CI: 40.0-84.0), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Systemic chemotherapy may be an effective salvage strategy for LARC patients who fail to respond to chemoradiotherapy and are inoperable or candidates for beyond TME surgery. According to our study, one out of five patients may become resectable or be spared from an extensive surgery after systemic chemotherapy.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

High-quality evidence to inform the optimal management of rectal cancer patients who are inoperable or candidates for beyond total mesorectal excision surgery following standard chemoradiotherapy is lacking. We show for the first time that systemic chemotherapy may be beneficial and result in one out of five poor prognosis patients becoming resectable or being spared from an extensive surgical approach. Although mores studies are needed to confirm these data, administering salvage systemic chemotherapy in this setting may have the potential to minimize morbidity associated with extensive surgical procedures and improve long-term oncological outcome.

Predicting the Risk of Bowel-Related Quality-of-Life Impairment After Restorative Resection for Rectal Cancer: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Restorative anterior resection is considered the optimal procedure for most patients with rectal cancer and is frequently preceded by radiotherapy. Both surgery and preoperative radiotherapy impair bowel function, which adversely affects quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to report symptoms associated with and key predictors for bowel-related quality-of-life impairment.

DESIGN

The study included a cross-sectional cohort.

SETTINGS

This was a multicenter study from 12 United Kingdom centers.

PATIENTS

A total of 578 patients with rectal cancer underwent curative restorative anterior resection between 2001 and 2012 (median, 5.25 years postsurgery).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Patients completed outcome measures that assessed bowel dysfunction (low anterior resection syndrome score), incontinence (Wexner score), and quality of life (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30), plus an anchor question: "Overall how does bowel function affect your quality of life?"

RESULTS

The response rate was 80% (462/578). Overall, 85% (391/462) of patients reported bowel-related quality-of-life impairment, with 40% (187/462) reporting major impairment. A large difference in global quality of life (22 points; p < 0.001) was reported for "none" versus "major" impairment, with greatest symptom severity being diarrhea (25 points; p < 0.001), insomnia (24 points; p < 0.001), and fatigue (20 points; p < 0.001). Regression analysis identified major impairment in 60% and 45% of patients with low rectal cancer treated with and without preoperative radiotherapy compared with 47% and 33% of middle/upper rectal cancers with and without preoperative radiotherapy.

LIMITATIONS

Advances in radiotherapy delivery and improvements in posttreatment symptom control, although currently of limited efficacy, imply that the content of this consent aid should be re-evaluated in 5 to 10 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Before a restorative anterior resection, patients with rectal cancer should be informed that bowel-related quality-of-life impairment is common. The key risk factors are neoadjuvant therapy and a low tumor height. This study presents quality-of-life and functional outcome data, along with a consent aid, that will enhance this preoperative patient discussion.

Development of a conceptual framework of health-related quality of life in locally recurrent rectal cancer

AIM

The surgical management of locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) has become widely accepted to afford cure and improve quality of life in this subset of patients. Thus far, traditional surgical and oncological markers have been used to highlight the success of surgical intervention. The use of patient-reported outcomes, specifically health-related quality of life (HRQoL), is sparse in these patients. This may be in part due to the lack of well-designed, validated instruments. This study identifies HRQoL issues relevant to patients undergoing surgery for LRRC, with the aim of developing a conceptual framework of HRQoL specific to LRRC to enable measurement of patient-reported outcomes in this cohort of patients.

METHOD

Qualitative focus groups were undertaken at two institutions to identify relevant HRQoL themes. The principles of thematic content analysis were used to analysis data. NViVo10 was used to analyse data.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients participated in six consecutive focus groups. Two patterns of themes emerged related to HRQoL and healthcare service delivery and utilization. Identified themes related to HRQoL included symptoms, sexual function, psychological impact, role and social functioning and future perspective. Under healthcare service and delivery and utilization the subdomain of disease management, treatment expectations and healthcare professionals were identified.

CONCLUSION

This is the first qualitative study undertaken exclusively in patients with LRRC to ascertain relevant HRQoL outcomes. The impact of LRRC on patients is wide-ranging and extends beyond traditional HRQoL outcomes. The study operationalizes the identified outcomes into a conceptual framework, which will provide the basis for the development of a LRRC-specific patient-reported outcome measure.

Quality of life, pain, anxiety and depression in patients surgically treated with cancer of rectum

Background

The rectum cancer is associated with high rates of complications and morbidities with great impact on the lives of affected individuals.

Aim

To evaluate quality of life, pain, anxiety and depression in patients treated for medium and lower rectum cancer, submitted to surgical intervention.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study. Eighty-eight records of patients with medium and lower rectum cancer, submitted to surgical intervention were selected, and enrolled. Forty-seven patients died within the study period, and the other 41 were studied. Question forms EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-CR38 were used to assess quality of life. Pain evaluation was carried out using the Visual Analogical Scale, depression and anxiety were assessed through Depression Inventories and Beck's Anxiety, respectively. The correlation between pain intensity, depression and anxiety was carried out, and between these and the EORTC QLQ-C30 General Scale for Health Status and overall quality of life, as well as the EORTC QLQ-CR38 functional and symptom scales.

Results

Of the 41 patients of the study, 52% presented pain, depression in 47%, and anxiety in 39%. There was a marking positive correlation between pain intensity and depression. There was a moderate negative correlation between depression and general health status, and overall quality of life as well as pain intensity with the latter. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between future depression perspective and sexual function, and also a strong positive correlation between depression and sexual impairments. A positive correlation between anxiety and gastro-intestinal problems, both statistically significant, was observed.

Conclusion

Evaluation scales showed detriment on quality life evaluation, besides an elevated incidence of pain, depression, and anxiety; a correlation among these, and factors which influence on the quality of life of post-surgical medium and lower rectum cancer patients was observed.

Body image and sexual function in women after treatment for anal and rectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

Treatment for anal and rectal cancer (ARCa) often results in side effects that directly impact sexual functioning; however, ARCa survivors are an understudied group, and factors contributing to the sexual sequelae are not well understood. Body image problems are distressing and may further exacerbate sexual difficulties, particularly for women. This preliminary study sought to (1) describe body image problems, including sociodemographic and disease/treatment correlates, and (2) examine relations between body image and sexual function.

METHODS

For the baseline assessment of a larger study, 70 women completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire and Colorectal Cancer-specific Module, including the Body Image subscale, and Female Sexual Function Index. Pearson's correlation and multiple regression evaluated correlates of body image. Among sexually active women (n = 41), hierarchical regression examined relations between body image and sexual function domains.

RESULTS

Women were on average 55 years old (standard deviation = 11.6), non-Hispanic White (79%), married (57%), and employed (47%). The majority (86%) reported at least one body image problem. Younger age, lower global health status, and greater severity of symptoms related to poorer body image (p's < 0.05). Poor body image was inversely related to all aspects of sexual function (β range 0.50-0.70, p's < 0.05), except pain. The strongest association was with Female Sexual Function Index Sexual/Relationship Satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

These preliminary findings suggest the importance of assessing body image as a potentially modifiable target to address sexual difficulties in this understudied group. Further longitudinal research is needed to inform the development and implementation of effective interventions to improve the sexual health and well-being of female ARCa survivors.

Does extended surgery influence health-related quality of life in patients with rectal cancer?

BACKGROUND

In locally advanced rectal cancer, an extended resection peripheral to the mesorectal fascia is needed to achieve a radical resection. The influence of extended resections on health-related quality of life is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

Differences in health-related quality of life and sexuality between patients receiving standard surgery and patients receiving extended surgery were examined, with a focus on age.

DESIGN

Patients operated on for rectal cancer between 2000 and 2010 were selected from a database and invited to complete the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality-of-life questionnaires (C30 and ColoRectal 38).

SETTINGS

All patients were treated at the Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

PATIENTS

All patients received total mesorectal excision surgery or extended surgery for rectal cancer.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Health-related quality of life and sexual activity was compared between patients treated with total mesorectal excision surgery and extended surgery and further stratified by age at the time of surgery (<70 and ≥70).

RESULTS

Two hundred twenty-nine (64.1%) patients with standard surgery and 128 (35.9%) patients treated with extended resections responded. Extended surgery in patients <70 years resulted in lower body image compared with patients <70 years receiving standard surgery. Patients ≥70 years had lower sexual function and more male sexual dysfunction than patients <70 years undergoing standard surgery. In all groups, sexual activity dropped significantly after treatment.

LIMITATIONS

No information was available of the patients' health-related quality of life before treatment except for the retrospective question about sexual activity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed no major differences between patients undergoing total mesorectal excision surgery and those receiving extended surgery, with the exception of body image, which was significantly lower in patients <70 years undergoing extended surgery. In all patient groups, treatment for rectal cancer influenced sexual activity dramatically. Awareness of the impact of surgery on health-related quality of life and sexuality is needed.

Systematic review of health-related quality of life issues in locally recurrent rectal cancer

The standardization of surgical techniques supplemented with appropriate neoadjuvant chemoradiation has led to the decline in local recurrence rates of rectal cancer (LRRC) from 25-50% to 5-10%. The outcomes reported for surgical intervention in LRRC is encouraging, however, a number of controversies exist especially in the ultra-advanced and palliative setting. Incorporating health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes in this field could supplement traditional clinical endpoints in assessing the effectiveness of surgical intervention in this cohort. This review aimed to identify the HRQOL themes that might be relevant to patients with LRRC. A systematic review was undertaken to identify all studies reporting HRQoL in LRRC. Each study was evaluated with regards to its design and statistical methodology. A meta-synthesis of qualitative and quantitative studies was undertaken to identify relevant HRQoL themes. A total of 14 studies were identified, with 501 patients, with 80% of patients undergoing surgery. HRQoL was the primary endpoint in eight studies. Eight themes were identified: physical, psychological and social impact, symptoms, financial and occupational impact, relationships with others, communication with healthcare professionals and sexual function. The impact on HRQoL is multifactorial and wide ranging, with a number of issues identified that are not included in current measures. These issues must be incorporated into the assessment of HRQoL in LRRC through the development of a validated, disease-specific tool.

Health-related quality of life after surgery for advanced and recurrent rectal cancer: a nationwide prospective study

AIM

Advances in the treatment of rectal cancer have made it possible to perform complex rectal cancer surgery (COMP-RCS) in patients with primary advanced rectal cancer penetrating beyond the total mesorectal excision planes and in patients with locally recurrent rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and during the first 2 years after COMP-RCS.

METHOD

Between 2001 and 2008, 180 patients were treated with COMP-RCS at Aarhus University Hospital. HRQoL was assessed preoperatively and 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after surgery using three questionnaires. The results were compared with those for patients treated with standard rectal cancer surgery (STAN-RCS) and with data from the general Danish population (NORM-data).

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-two (68%) patients responded to the questionnaires. Of these 80 (66%) with disease-free survival for 2 years after surgery were included in the main analysis. The lowest level of functioning and the highest degree of symptoms were reported preoperatively. The majority of the HRQoL scales improved or remained stable during the first postoperative year; a decrease was observed for body image only. One year after surgery, HRQoL in patients treated with COMP-RSC was comparable to that for patients treated with STAN-RCS. Lower levels were found for physical and emotional role functioning, compared with NORM-data.

CONCLUSION

Patients treated with COMP-RCS experienced improvement in HRQoL in the first year after surgery. One year after surgery, HRQoL was similar to that of patients treated with STAN-RCS. Compared with NORM-data, lower levels were found for physical and emotional role functioning.

Combined radical prostatectomy and abdominoperineal resection for locally invasive rectal cancer

INTRODUCTION

An infiltration of urological organs is found in 5-10% of patients with colorectal carcinoma. Total pelvic exenteration is the standard procedure for locally advanced rectal cancer. In selected patients with rectal cancer involving the prostate or seminal vesicles, the bladder can be preserved and en bloc radical prostatectomy with abdominoperineal rectal resection can be performed. We report two patients who treated with this combined approach.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

Two patients with symptoms of rectal bleeding and pelvic pain were investigated. Colonoscopy demonstrated a tumor in the lower rectum. Biopsies revealed adenocarcinoma. Both pelvic MRI and endorectal ultrasound showed tumors that invaded the prostate and the seminal vesicles directly but without invasion of the bladder. After neoadjuvant chemoradiation, combined radical prostatectomy and abdominoperineal amputation was performed. None has developed local recurrence, but one of them was operated on for a single lung metastasis. After a follow-up of 28 and 20 months, respectively, the patients are alive without evidence of local recurrence or distant disease.

DISCUSSION

This procedure obviates the need for urinary diversion without compromising the local tumor control. Intraoperative and postoperative diagnostic difficulties, and clinical aspects in relation to postoperative anastomotic leak and survival of patients are discussed.

CONCLUSION

En bloc radical prostatectomy and proctosigmoidectomy is feasible in selected patients with rectal cancer and invasion limited to the prostate or seminal vesicles because it provides good local tumor control and significantly improves the patient's quality of life in comparison to total pelvic exenteration.

Role of pelvic exenteration in the management of locally advanced primary and recurrent rectal cancer

AIM

A review of a single-centre experience of pelvic exenteration as a treatment modality for patients with locally advanced primary and recurrent rectal cancer. The perioperative outcomes, morbidity and long term oncological outcomes are reviewed.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Patients undergoing pelvic exenterations for recurrent and locally advanced rectal cancer between 1 January 2006 and 1 August 2012 were identified from a prospective database. All patients underwent pre-operative staging investigations with computed tomography (CT) scan of chest, abdomen and pelvis and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients with locally advanced primary rectal cancer were counselled for pre-operative chemoradiation. Structures such as the urinary bladder and female reproductive organs were resected en bloc where indicated with the lesion. Urological or plastic reconstructions were employed where indicated. The primary outcome measured was overall survival and secondary outcomes measured were time to local recurrence (LR) and systemic recurrence. Disease-free survival was examined by the Kaplan-Meier Method (Fig. 1).

RESULTS

Pelvic exenterations were performed in 13 patients with a median age of 59 (range 26-81). The rate of major post-operative complications was 8% (n = 1), where the patient had anastomotic leakage. There were no mortalities in the perioperative period. All patients were operated with curative intent and negative circumferential margins were shown in 9 out of 13 patients (70%). The DFS was 19.4 and the OS was 22.5 months.

CONCLUSION

An aggressive approach with en bloc resection of organs involved provides survival benefit to patients with locally advanced primary and recurrent rectal cancer with an acceptable morbidity profile.

Locally advanced rectal cancer: new findings in anticancer therapy

SUMMARY Rectal cancer accounts for nearly a third of colorectal cancer cases, with a mortality of 4–10 cases per 100,000 per year, thus accounting for 9% of cancer deaths both in males and in females in western countries. Management of locally advanced rectal cancer has undergone and continues to undergo significant progress in the last two decades: in particular, new multimodality strategies have contributed to marked improvements in terms of reduction of both local and distant recurrence rates. This review focuses and summarizes the effectiveness of multimodality approaches in the standard treatment programs for locally advanced rectal cancer and also discusses the ongoing research to improve these regimens.

Consensus statement on the multidisciplinary management of patients with recurrent and primary rectal cancer beyond total mesorectal excision planes

BACKGROUND

The management of primary rectal cancer beyond total mesorectal excision planes (PRC-bTME) and recurrent rectal cancer (RRC) is challenging. There is global variation in standards and no guidelines exist. To achieve cure most patients require extended, multivisceral, exenterative surgery, beyond conventional total mesorectal excision planes. The aim of the Beyond TME Group was to achieve consensus on the definitions and principles of management, and to identify areas of research priority.

METHODS

Delphi methodology was used to achieve consensus. The Group consisted of invited experts from surgery, radiology, oncology and pathology. The process included two international dedicated discussion conferences, formal feedback, three rounds of editing and two rounds of anonymized web-based voting. Consensus was achieved with more than 80 per cent agreement; less than 80 per cent agreement indicated low consensus. During conferences held in September 2011 and March 2012, open discussion took place on areas in which there is a low level of consensus.

RESULTS

The final consensus document included 51 voted statements, making recommendations on ten key areas of PRC-bTME and RRC. Consensus agreement was achieved on the recommendations of 49 statements, with 34 achieving consensus in over 95 per cent. The lowest level of consensus obtained was 76 per cent. There was clear identification of the need for referral to a specialist multidisciplinary team for diagnosis, assessment and further management.

CONCLUSION

The consensus process has provided guidance for the management of patients with PRC-bTME or RRC, taking into account global variations in surgical techniques and technology. It has further identified areas of research priority.

Quality of life of patients after low anterior, intersphincteric, and abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer--a matched-pair analysis

PURPOSE

Limits for sphincter preservation in rectal cancer have been expanded under the assumption that patients with a permanent colostomy have worse quality of life (QoL). Incontinence and painful defecation are common problems; therefore, this study compares functional outcome and QoL after sphincter-sparing intersphincteric resection (ISR), low anterior resection (LAR), and abdominoperineal resection (APR) for rectal cancer.

METHODS

From a prospective database, three matched groups of patients after surgery for rectal cancer between 1999 and 2009 were extracted. Median follow-up was 59 months. Of 131 patients receiving a questionnaire, 95 % could be analyzed further. Generic and disease-specific validated QoL (European Organization for Research and Treatment in Cancer QLQ-C30, CR38) and Wexner incontinence score were used.

RESULTS

Global QoL was comparable between the groups. Physical functioning was significantly better after sphincter preservation surgery than APR (p < 0.05). Symptom scores for diarrhea (DIA) and constipation (CON) were higher after sphincter-preserving surgery (ISR: DIA 45.4, CON 20.2; LAR: DIA 34.1, CON 25.2) compared to APR (DIA 16.6, CON 12.0) (p < 0.05 and <0.01, respectively). Disease-specific QoL assessment showed significantly worse QoL regarding to male sexual function after APR (80.8) than after ISR (53.6) (p < 0.005). Regarding defecation, the ISR group showed significantly higher symptom scores than patients after LAR (p < 0.05). Wexner scores were significantly higher after ISR (12.9) than after LAR (9.5) (p < 0.005).

Multimodal treatment strategies for locally advanced rectal cancer

This review outlines the important multimodal treatment issues associated with locally advanced rectal cancer. Changes to chemotherapy and radiation schema, as well as modern surgical approaches, have led to a revolution in the management of this disease but the morbidity and mortality remains high. Adequate treatment is dependent on precise preoperative staging modalities. Advances in staging via endorectal ultrasound, computed tomography, MRI and PET have improved pretreatment triage and management. Important prognostic factors and their impact for this disease are under investigation. Here we discuss the different treatment options including modern tumor-related surgical approaches, neoadjuvant as well as adjuvant therapies. Further clinical progress will largely depend on the broader implementation of multidisciplinary treatment strategies following the principles of evidence-based medicine.

Health-related quality of life after surgery for primary advanced rectal cancer and recurrent rectal cancer: a review

AIM

Health-related quality of life is an important outcome measure in treatment of cancer. A review of the literature was undertaken to provide an overview of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after surgery for primary advanced or recurrent rectal cancer and to outline proposals for future HRQoL studies in this area.

METHOD

A systematic literature search was undertaken. Only studies concerning surgery for primary advanced or recurrent rectal cancer and describing methods used for measuring HRQoL were considered.

RESULTS

Seven studies were identified, including two prospective longitudinal studies, three cross-sectional studies and two based on qualitative data. Global quality of life, and physical, social, role and sexual function seemed to be impaired for a varying time after surgery. All the studies had methodical problems due to small sample size (12-44 patients) and different points of time for the assessment of HRQoL (12.3-47 months), which made it difficult to determine the period of time of impaired HRQoL and also if this is different after surgery for locally advanced or recurrent disease compared with after total mesorectal excision used for earlier tumours.

CONCLUSION

Several aspects of HRQoL are impaired for a variable time after treatment for locally advanced or recurrence of rectal cancer. Larger prospective longitudinal studies are needed to provide further information regarding the effects of this extensive surgery on quality of life.

Early results of quality of life for curatively treated rectal cancers in Chinese patients with EORTC QLQ-CR29

Purpose

To assess the quality of life in curatively treated patients with rectal cancer in a prospectively collected cohort.

Methods

Patients with stage I-III rectal cancer who were treated curatively in a single institution were accrued prospectively. Quality of life was assessed by use of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaire module for all cancer patients (QLQ-C30) and for colorectal cancer patients (QLQ-CR29). Quality of life among different treatment modalities and between stoma and nonstoma patients was evaluated in all patients.

Results

A total of 154 patients were assessed. The median time of completion for the questionnaires was 10 months after all the treatments. For patients with different treatment modalities, faecal incontinence and diarrhea were significantly higher in radiation group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively), and no difference in male or female sexual function was found between radiation group and non-radiation group. For stoma and nonstoma patients, the QLQ-CR29 module found the symptoms of Defaecation and Embarrassment with Bowel Movement were more prominent in stoma patients, while no difference was detected in scales QLQ-C30 module.

Conclusions

Our study provided additional information in evaluating QoL of Chinese rectal cancer patients with currently widely used QoL questionnaires. As a supplement to the QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-CR29 is a useful questionnaire in evaluating curatively treated patients with rectal cancer. Bowel dysfunction (diarrhea and faecal incontinence) was still the major problem compromising QoL in patients with either pre- or postoperative chemoradiotherapy.

Current management of locally recurrent rectal cancer

AIM

A review of the literature was undertaken to provide an overview of the surgical management of locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC) after the introduction of total mesorectal excision (TME).

METHOD

A systematic literature search was undertaken using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane databases. Only studies on patients having surgery for their primary tumour after 1995, or if more than half of the patients were operated on after 1995, were considered for analysis. Studies concerning only palliative treatments were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 19 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Locally recurrent rectal cancer still occurred in 5-10% of the patients and was a major clinical problem, due to severe symptoms and poor survival. In most studies, 40-50% of all patients with LRRC could be expected to undergo surgery with a curative intent and of those, 30-45% would have R0 resection. Thus, only 20-30% of all patients with LRRC would have a potentially curative operation. The postoperative complication rate varied considerably, from 15 to 68%. The rate of re-recurrence varied from 4 to 54% after curative surgery. The 5-year overall survival varied between 9 and 39% and the median survival between 21 and 55 months.

CONCLUSION

Compared with previous studies, the proportion of potentially curative resections seems to have increased, probably due to improved staging, neoadjuvant treatment and increased surgical experience in dedicated centres, which has resulted in a tendency to improved survival.

Multidisciplinary treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer: a literature review. Part 1

In Western countries, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in terms of incidence and mortality. The management of rectal cancer has undergone and continues to undergo significant evolutions. In the last two decades, new multimodality strategies have been developed. Multimodality treatments have improved the prognosis of locally advanced rectal cancer with local recurrences decreasing from 40% to < 10% and overall survival increasing from 50% to 75% in the last 40 years. This review discusses the role of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy regimens used in the standard combined modality treatment programs for rectal cancer and focuses on the ongoing research to improve these regimens.