Impact of Short-Term Preoperative Radiotherapy on Health-Related Quality of Life and Sexual Functioning in Primary Rectal Cancer: Report of a Multicenter Randomized Trial

Abstract

Short-term PRT leads to more sexual dysfunction, slower recovery of bowel function, and impaired daily activity postoperatively. However, this does not seriously affect HRQL. The comparison between LAR and APR patients demonstrates that the existence of a permanent stoma is not the only determinant of HRQL.