In a nutshell
This study compared open surgery to laparoscopic surgery (LS; a tube with a camera is inserted through a small cut to remove the tumor) in terms of quality of life in patients with colon cancer. Researchers suggested that patients treated with LS had an improved quality of life after surgery.
Some background
Colon cancer is the fourth most diagnosed cancer in the US. The standard treatment for this disease is open surgery and chemotherapy. However, open surgery is associated with more complications and an increased length of hospital stays. LS is a less invasive treatment option, shown to have the same effectiveness in terms of survival when compared to open surgery.
Prior studies have compared these two different methods through survival and response rate. However, too little is known in terms of the quality of life of these patients.
Methods & findings
This study included information on 425 patients with colon cancer. 213 patients were assigned to receive open surgery and 212 to LS. Patient symptoms and quality of life were assessed through patient questionnaires before the surgery and 2 days, 2 weeks and 2 months after the surgery.
Patients in the LS groups had a better recovery at 2 days after surgery compared to open surgery. Patients who received LS had an improved overall quality of life. This included an improved appetite and bowel function, less insomnia, pain, and fatigue. A general improvement was seen in daily living, and health.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that LS is associated with an improved quality of life in patients with colon cancer.
The fine print
The follow-up period was only 60 days, meaning that longer-term studies are still needed.
Published By :
Diseases of the colon and rectum
Date :
Oct 01, 2018
