Quality of life after rectal cancer surgery (systematic review)

Abstract

Aim: search for modifiable and unmodifiable risk factors affecting the quality of life of patients after rectal cancer surgery.Materials and methods: the literature search was done according to the keywords: quality of life, rectal cancer, low anterior resection syndrome. Twelve prospective randomized studies, 2 cohort studies, and 2 meta-analyses are included in the study. The quality of life was assessed in the analyzed studies by using questionnaires for cancer patients and updated questionnaires for colorectal cancer: EORTC QLQ-CR29, QLQ-C30, QLQ-CR38, BIQ.Results: the literary data on influence of gender, age, surgery, stoma, and chemoradiotherapy on life quality of patients after rectal cancer surgery was analyzed.Conclusion: the most significant factor affecting the life quality of patients with rectal cancer is a violation of the body image if it is necessary to form the stoma on the anterior abdominal wall. The manifestations of the low anterior resection syndrome and the urination problems are significant risk factors in the case of restoration of bowel continuity.