Advances in rectal cancer therapies, including neoadjuvant treatments and organ-preserving strategies, have led to enhanced quality of life (QOL) for patients. Key assessments, such as the FACT-C scale and EORTC’s QLQ-30, reveal that factors like tumor location and treatment types significantly influence QOL. Intriguingly, strategies like “watch-and-wait” have shown promise in improving functional outcomes. Surgical techniques are evolving to address QOL challenges, indicating a multifaceted approach is vital for patient well-being after rectal cancer surgery.
Review by Jung WB in Ann Coloproctol