Palliative surgical intervention in metastatic colorectal carcinoma: a prospective analysis of quality of life.
AIM
Quality of life (QOL) was assessed after palliative surgery for incurable metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC).


METHOD
Newly diagnosed patients with incurable metastatic CRC who were offered elective palliative surgical intervention were included. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 questionnaire was used for the assessment of QOL at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after surgery. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the mean change in the QOL score from baseline.


RESULTS
Twenty-four patients formed the study group. Sixteen underwent resection of the primary tumour and eight had a proximal diversion or bypass. The Global Health (GH) score and Social Functioning (SF) score improved at 3 and 6 months after intervention respectively (GH +11, P = 0.021; SF +15, P = 0.005). Mean anxiety scores were markedly improved from the baseline of 51 to 71 (P = 0.004, 3 months) and 76 (P = 0.002, 6 months). Weight concerns also improved significantly when compared with baseline (3 months, +20, P < 0.001; 6 months, +14, P = 0.012). Symptoms of diarrhoea (3 months, --17, P = 0.007; 6 months,--16, P = 0.008) and nausea (--8, P = 0.032) improved.


CONCLUSION
In patients with incurable metastatic CRC, surgery improved QOL.
['Tan|W J|WJ|', 'Chew|M H|MH|', 'Tan|I B H|IB|', 'Law|J H|JH|', 'Zhao|R|R|', 'Acharyya|S|S|', 'Mao|Y L|YL|', 'Fernandez|L G|LG|', 'Loi|C T|CT|', 'Tang|C L|CL|']
D000368:Aged D001007:Anxiety D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D010166:Palliative Care D011446:Prospective Studies D011788:Quality of Life D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
metastatic colorectal carcinoma QOL Palliative surgery