Majority of Rectal Cancer Survivors Show Continued Improvement in Low Anterior Resection Syndrome Beyond 3 Years Post-Surgery

Rectal cancer survivors with low anterior resection syndrome showed improvement beyond 3 years post-proctectomy, with a decrease in mean syndrome score from 29.5 to 18.6. 31.5% experienced a shift from major to no/minor severity, while 3.4% required a new stoma. Long-term improvement was negatively associated with neoadjuvant radiation. This study emphasizes the importance of long-term follow-up beyond two years in managing postoperative bowel dysfunction in rectal cancer survivors.