The time course of health-related Quality of Life in rectal cancer patients undergoing combined modality treatment.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

This exploratory prospective observational study investigated the changes in Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in rectal cancer patients (RCPs), from diagnosis to one-year-post-surgery follow-up and explored the role of physical symptoms and psychological determinants on HRQoL at the different time points.

Materials and methods

We assessed HRQoL, psychological distress, coping, affectivity, alexithymia and social support in 43 RCPs treated with preoperative (chemo)radiation and surgery, at three different assessment time points: diagnosis (T0), one month after the end of preoperative treatment (T1), one month after resection surgery (T2), and at follow-up (T3).

Results

The data showed that HRQoL decreased during active treatments, especiall

SUBMITTER: Tesio V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11332791 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature