Abstract
Of all the neoplastic sites, colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in the family. Studies estimate that approximately 30% of all the CRC cases are a hereditary form of the disease with a potentially high impact on the quality of life (QoL), with a high risk of recurrence, and with bio–psycho–social functioning. The aim of the study was to assess the QoL of colorectal cancer patients with genetic risk by using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) questionnaire version QLQ-CR29. Materials and methods: The cross-sectional, single-center study was performed on a group of 32 patients with genetic risk of colorectal cancer, who underwent preoperative chemoradiation and surgery. Results: The series of values for the scores on the symptom scale varied between 15 and 30, and the average level of symptom scores did not differ significantly between gender (22.0 vs. 22.75; p = 0.636), highlighting a moderate impairment of QoL. Scores for the emotional functioning scale were significantly lower in men (10.33 vs. 13.25; p = 0.049), as were the scores for the physical functions (15.67 vs. 19.15; p = 0.039), showing a decrease in QoL. Conclusions: The overall score showed an average QoL in patients with colorectal cancer with genetic risk, highlighting significant differences in psycho-emotional functioning between women and men.
Highlights
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide, with over1.8 million new cases per year, of which approximately 500,000 new cases are in Europe [1]
The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of patients with colorectal cancer with genetic risk who underwent preoperative cancer treatment and underwent surgery, using an official questionnaire translated into Romanian
Men did not feel less masculine, while women felt less feminine as a result of illness and treatment; the correlation matrix of items for emotional function showed strong correlations, statistically significant between the patient’s concerns for future health, weight, feelings of dissatisfaction with attractiveness, femininity/masculinity and, generally, with their own body; the symptoms characteristic of discomfort caused by the colostomy bag or unintentional manifestations generated by bowel movement showed correlations that led the patient to reanalyze his/her physical and emotional effects, and greater impairment of physical and emotional functions was noted in men
Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide, with over1.8 million new cases per year, of which approximately 500,000 new cases are in Europe [1]. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide, with over. The increasing incidence of CRC emphasized the studying of quality of life (QoL) in patients undergoing oncological and surgical therapies. Several studies highlighted the impact on QoL of CRC protocols in patients, immediately after chemoradiation and in the long run [5]. The QoL for cancer patients is associated with a greater number of factors [6], such as: socio-demographic characteristics; health-related factors; factors related to cancer and surgical procedures; lifestyle [7]; other factors [8,9]. The stage and location of CRC at the time of diagnosis is important in quantifying QoL, as they determine the symptoms, treatments and duration of therapy [10]
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