Survivorship issues in long-term survivors of locally recurrent rectal cancer: A qualitative study

IF 2.9 3区医学 Q2 GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY

Colorectal Disease Pub Date : 2025-03-20 DOI:10.1111/codi.70051

Niamh McKigney, Sophia Waldenstedt, Elisabeth Gonzalez, Jan M. van Rees, Henriette Vind Thaysen, Eva Angenete, Galina Velikova, Julia M. Brown, Deena P. Harji, LRRC-QoL Collaborators

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Abstract

Aim

There are increasing numbers of long-term survivors following curative treatment for locally recurrent rectal cancer (LRRC); however, their experiences remain relatively underreported. The aim of this qualitative study was to identify the long-term survivorship issues relevant to these patients.

Method

Adults who remained disease free >3 years following treatment for LRRC were invited to participate in an international multicentre study. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted either in person, via telephone or via Microsoft Teams and were analysed using a framework method of thematic analysis.

Results

A total of 26 participants were recruited from 11 sites in seven countries. Sixteen (61.5%) participants were male, the median age was 70.5 (33.0–85.0) years, participants were a median of 5.0 (3.0–17.0) years posttreatment, most had undergone surgery for LRRC (n = 24, 92.3%), two participants received neoadjuvant chemo/radiation for LRRC with a complete response. Eight major survivorship themes were identified: (1) experience of long-term follow-up care, (2) unmet needs and areas for improvement, (3) long-term physical effects of cancer and treatment, (4) living with a stoma, urostomy or other urinary device, (5) long-term psychological impact, (6) impact on sexual function and intimate relationships, (7) impact on daily life and (8) feelings surrounding life now, adapting and the future.

Conclusion

Participants experienced a wide range of long-term survivorship issues, reflecting the complexity of both LRRC and its treatment. Despite this, most had adapted well. Further work regarding survivorship care in LRRC is required to address the unmet needs and issues highlighted in this study, such as support regarding sexual function.

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来源期刊

Colorectal Disease 医学-胃肠肝病学

CiteScore

6.10

自引率

11.80%

发文量

406

审稿时长

1.5 months

期刊介绍： Diseases of the colon and rectum are common and offer a number of exciting challenges. Clinical, diagnostic and basic science research is expanding rapidly. There is increasing demand from purchasers of health care and patients for clinicians to keep abreast of the latest research and developments, and to translate these into routine practice. Technological advances in diagnosis, surgical technique, new pharmaceuticals, molecular genetics and other basic sciences have transformed many aspects of how these diseases are managed. Such progress will accelerate. Colorectal Disease offers a real benefit to subscribers and authors. It is first and foremost a vehicle for publishing original research relating to the demanding, rapidly expanding field of colorectal diseases. Essential for surgeons, pathologists, oncologists, gastroenterologists and health professionals caring for patients with a disease of the lower GI tract, Colorectal Disease furthers education and inter-professional development by including regular review articles and discussions of current controversies. Note that the journal does not usually accept paediatric surgical papers.