Study of Bowel Function After Rectal Cancer Surgery Tracking Low Anterior Resection Syndrome LARS and COREFO Scores Following Different Treatments Including Surgery and Chemoradiotherapy

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the occurrence and progression of bowel function problems known as Low Anterior Resection Syndrome LARS in adults undergoing surgery for rectal cancer. The study aims to understand how different pre-surgery treatments, types of surgery, and follow-up therapies affect these bowel issues and their impact on work ability. This prospective interventional study will include patients regardless of whether they receive pre-surgery chemotherapy or radiation, with data collected over several years. Participants will be grouped based on whether they have rectal surgery alone or receive additional chemotherapy or radiation before surgery. They will complete online questionnaires at various times before and after surgery, assessing bowel function, quality of defecation, work incapacity, and treatment for LARS. The study will track these outcomes for up to two years after surgery or stoma reversal, with interim analyses planned after two years of patient inclusion. During the study, participants will regularly provide information through automated online questionnaires about their bowel symptoms and daily functioning. Researchers will analyze changes in specific bowel function scores, such as the COREFO and LARS scores, over time compared to baseline. They will also monitor treatments started for LARS and assess quality of life and work ability. The total follow-up period for each participant is two years after their surgery or stoma reversal.

ProLARS Trial: Prospective Longitudinal Follow-up of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) and COREFO Score After Rectum Surgery in Patients Undergoing Upfront Surgery or Different Neo-adjuvant Treatment Regimens