Longitudinal quality of life after total neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer: secondary analysis of the phase 2 SHORT-FOX trial

The use of total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is increasing; however, patient healt-related quality of life (HRQOL) following this novel approach has not been extensively measured. Secondary analysis of the phase 2 SHORT-FOX trial evaluated HRQOL after TNT (short course radiotherapy followed by FOLFOXIRI) for LARC. In this trial 23 patients (63.2%) demonstrated clinical complete response at the primary post-TNT outcome assessment, and 18 (48.6%) pursued organ preservation. The figure shows scores of various HRQOL domains. Mean overall self-rated health among respondents improved, while sexual function worsened. Scores for bowel function and urinary function indicated mild-to-moderate dysfunction. Among patients without a stoma, low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) scores improved significantly posttreatment, but did not differ significantly from baseline at later time points.