Impact on Quality of Life of Patients with Surgical Treatment for Liver Metastases of Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

AIM: To assess the quality of life of patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer, before and four weeks after surgery. METHODS: From September 2008 to March 2009 we performed a study of prospective cohorts by means of a consecutive sampling of patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal metastases (n=30)and a positive control group (n=30) formed by accompanying
persons (relatives of the patients). Both groups filled in SF-36
questionnaires before the intervention and at 4 weeks after surgery.The groups were compared before and after treatment, using Student’s t test and a comparison of means in paired samples (paired t tests). We also calculated the effect of the intervention (effect size). ANOVA and Chi-squared tests were used to determine the modulating factors of the impact on quality of life. RESULTS: Before treatment the patients had a better quality of life in all dimensions than after treatment and never attained that of the accompanying persons, either before or after treatment. The perception of pain was greater in the men but these showed a better mental wellbeing with respect to the women. The main effect of the intervention on the quality of life was perceived in the pain, mental and social dimensions. CONCLUSION: Patients with liver metastases colorectal cancer the diagnosis and surgical treatment causes a decrease in their quality of life, above all in pain, mental and social SF-36 dimensions.