Effects of radiation and surgery on function and quality of life (QOL) in rectal cancer patients

Pre-operative radiotherapy (PRT) and total mesorectal excision surgery (TME) for rectal cancer yield the lowest risk for local recurrence. However, both treatments negatively impact quality of life (QOL). To understand individual treatment effects, we ask whether PRT affects function and quality of life before TME. Function and QOL were prospectively assessed in 26 patients using EORTC QLQ-C30/-CR38, and Wexner scale at three time points: before...