Health-related quality of life 14Â years after preoperative short-term radiotherapy and total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: Report of a multicenter randomised trial

Long-term HRQL evaluation shows that treatment-related symptoms are still present 14 years after treatment for rectal cancer. Radiotherapy increased bowel dysfunction in patients without stoma. Compared with the Dutch population, both groups reported increased sexual dysfunction. Despite these treatment-related symptoms, there was no difference in overall functioning and global health between TME and PRT + TME.