Patient-Reported Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life After Contact X-Ray Brachytherapy (CXB) in Organ-Preserving Management of Rectal Cancer

Than, Ngu Wah ORCID: 0000-0003-4991-5431, Pritchard, D Mark ORCID: 0000-0001-7971-3561, Hughes, David M ORCID: 0000-0002-1287-9994, Duckworth, Carrie A ORCID: 0000-0001-7971-3561, Haq, Muneeb Ul ORCID: 0000-0002-2303-7469, Cummings, Thomas, Jardine, Charlotte, Stead, Sarah, Sripadam, Rajaram and Myint, Arthur Sun (2025) Patient-Reported Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life After Contact X-Ray Brachytherapy (CXB) in Organ-Preserving Management of Rectal Cancer Cancers, 17 (9). p. 1560. ISSN 2072-6694, 2072-6694

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: With recent advancements in rectal cancer management leading to longer patient survival, the impact of various treatment approaches on patients’ quality of life (QOL) becomes an important focus of attention. While QOL studies exist for watch-and-wait after (chemo)radiation with/without local excision, data on health-related QOL (HRQOL) outcomes after contact X-ray brachytherapy (CXB) remain limited. This study evaluated functional and HRQOL outcomes in rectal cancer patients undergoing CXB and (chemo)radiation over one year. Methods: This prospective observational study (enrolment January–October 2023) with one-year follow-up assessed functional and HRQOL outcomes after CXB and (chemo)radiation using EORTC-QLQ-CR29, HADS, and EQ-5D-3L questionnaires. Longitudinal analyses were conducted using linear mixed-effects models, incorporating both fixed and random effects, following data processing based on relevant scoring manuals. Results: QOL was assessed in 53 patients who attended our centre for CXB for various clinical indications, with 51, 47, and 42 remaining at the end of treatment, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups, respectively. Overall, symptom and functional scores from EORTC-QLQ-CR29 remained stable throughout the follow-up period. Significant improvements were observed in abdominal pain, flatulence, urinary frequency, and body weight at 12 months. HADS and EQ-5D-3L scores remained stable, while EQ-VAS scores showed improvement, indicating a good overall quality of life following CXB treatment. Conclusions: CXB treatment combined with (chemo)radiation maintained stable HRQOL, with some improvements in symptoms and QOL noted during the subsequent year. These findings will help rectal cancer patients understand the benefits and limitations of CXB as a treatment option.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Papillon, contact X-ray brachytherapy, functional outcomes, health-related quality of life, organ preservation, patient-reported outcomes, radiotherapy, rectal cancer
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Systems, Molec & Integrative Biology > Inst. Systems, Molec & Integrative Biology
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	09 May 2025 07:13
Last Modified:	22 Jan 2026 14:32
DOI:	10.3390/cancers17091560
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17091560
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3192694
Disclaimer:	The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate.