A Quality-Adjusted Time Without Symptoms or Toxicity (Q-TWiST) Analysis of Adjuvant Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy for Resectable Rectal Cancer

Abstract

Use of combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy as an adjuvant to surgery for patients with poor-prognosis resectable rectal cancer is justified, since the improved outcome in terms of delayed recurrence and increased survival balances the time spent with early and late toxic effects. The Q-TWiST method is an excellent way to compare treatment outcomes that include quality-of-life considerations.