BACKGROUND:Preoperative radiotherapy improves local control and survival in rectal cancer, but there are few reports on long-term morbidity. The aims of this study were to compare long-term morbidity and quality of life in patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery with or without preoperative radiotherapy. METHODS: A total of 252 patients, randomized within the two Stockholm trials on preoperative radiotherapyin rectal cancer, were alive at a mean of 15 years after surgery. Some 139 of these patients were available for follow-up by questionnaires and clinical examination. Questionnaires regarding medical history and quality of life were completed by all patients. All patients had a clinical examination, and those without a stoma underwent rigid sigmoidoscopy. RESULTS: Overall, patients who had preoperative radiotherapy experienced significantly more late complications than those who did not (69 versus 43 per cent; P = 0.002). This morbidity consisted mainly of cardiovascular disease (35 versus 19 per cent; P = 0.032), faecal incontinence (12 of 21 versus 11 of 42 patients having anterior resection; P = 0.013) and urinary incontinence (45 versus 27 per cent; P = 0.023). No significant differences between groups were found for hip or pelvic fractures, small bowel obstruction or global quality of life. CONCLUSION:Preoperative short-course, high-dose radiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer increases the risk of anal and urinary dysfunction, and may lead to increased cardiovascular morbidity, at long-term follow-up.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Preoperative radiotherapy improves local control and survival in rectal cancer, but there are few reports on long-term morbidity. The aims of this study were to compare long-term morbidity and quality of life in patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery with or without preoperative radiotherapy. METHODS: A total of 252 patients, randomized within the two Stockholm trials on preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer, were alive at a mean of 15 years after surgery. Some 139 of these patients were available for follow-up by questionnaires and clinical examination. Questionnaires regarding medical history and quality of life were completed by all patients. All patients had a clinical examination, and those without a stoma underwent rigid sigmoidoscopy. RESULTS: Overall, patients who had preoperative radiotherapy experienced significantly more late complications than those who did not (69 versus 43 per cent; P = 0.002). This morbidity consisted mainly of cardiovascular disease (35 versus 19 per cent; P = 0.032), faecal incontinence (12 of 21 versus 11 of 42 patients having anterior resection; P = 0.013) and urinary incontinence (45 versus 27 per cent; P = 0.023). No significant differences between groups were found for hip or pelvic fractures, small bowel obstruction or global quality of life. CONCLUSION: Preoperative short-course, high-dose radiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer increases the risk of anal and urinary dysfunction, and may lead to increased cardiovascular morbidity, at long-term follow-up.
Authors: A Wiegering; H-J Buhr; C Klinger; A Fürst; T Schiedeck; O Schwandner; S Stelzner; C-T Germer Journal: Chirurg Date: 2018-01 Impact factor: 0.955
Authors: Dong Nyoung Son; Dong Jin Choi; Si Uk Woo; Jin Kim; Bo Ra Keom; Chul Hwan Kim; Se Jin Baek; Seon Hahn Kim Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2013-01-28 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: Juliane Kupsch; Thomas Jackisch; Klaus E Matzel; Joerg Zimmer; Andreas Schreiber; Anja Sims; Helmut Witzigmann; Sigmar Stelzner Journal: Int J Colorectal Dis Date: 2018-03-15 Impact factor: 2.571