This study constitutes a prospective, three-stage evaluation of quality of life among patients receiving surgical treatment for colorectal cancer depending on the type of surgery performed (open anterior resection, laparoscopic anterior resection, abdominoperineal resection, or Hartmann’s procedure). The study included 82 patients treated at the Surgical Oncology Outpatient Department of the Oncology Center in Bydgoszcz from June 2019 to August 2021. The study tools consisted of diagnostic surveys and analyses of medical records. The standardized study tools were the surveys EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29. In addition, a proprietary questionnaire was developed to collect demographic data. Quality of life was measured at three time-points: the day before the surgery and 6 and 12 months post-surgery. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the domains of role functioning (III, p = 0.030), body image (II, p < 0.001; III, p < 0.001), sexual functioning (II, p = 0.037), buttocks/anal area/rectum pain (III, p = 0.031), and embarrassment (II, p = 0.022; III, p = 0.010). Statistically significant differences in the functional and symptom scale scores were also observed within each group at different stages of cancer treatment. As shown by our study, the quality of life of patients treated for colorectal cancer is determined not only by the operating technique but also by sociodemographic and clinical factors. The use of minimally invasive surgical techniques enables patients to return to their social roles more quickly and improves their self-assessment of body image.

The study was aimed at assessing the quality of sexual functioning in female patients having undergone surgical treatment for cancer depending on the type of surgery. The prospective cohort consisted of 48 female patients (23 patients with stoma [A2] and 25 patients with maintained continuity of the GI tract [A1]). Study methods included a diagnostic survey and the analysis of medical records of patients. Research tools consisted of a standardized FSFI questionnaire and a proprietary form for evaluation of sociodemographic data. Measurements were performed at threetimepoints: On the day before the surgery (Measurement I) as well as six and 12 months after the surgery (Measurements II and III, respectively). Statistically significant differences in results were observed in Measurements II and III in the subscales of arousal (II:p = 0.0068, III:p = 0.0018), lubrication (II:p = 0.0221, III:p = 0.0134), orgasm (II:p = 0.0044, III:p = 0.0021), satisfaction (II:p = 0.0021, III:p = 0.0433), and pain/discomfort (II:p = 0.0343, III:p = 0.0473). In all cases, lower scores corresponding to lower quality of sexual functioning were observed in patients in whom stoma had been performed. Statistically significant differences in sexual functioning were observed at Measurements II and III in each group, with the results being significantly (p > 0.05) worse in patients having undergone Hartmann’s procedure or abdominoperineal resection). Variables significantly affecting self-assessed sexual satisfaction included marital status, age, and modality of neoadjuvant treatment. Restoration of the continuity of the gastrointestinal tract is a chance for better self-assessment of the patient’s quality of life as regards sexual functioning.

Introduction. Participation in patient support groups is of considerable importance in the process of adapting to the consequences of colorectal cancer treatment. Material and methods. The cross-sectional study included 149 patients affiliated with 12 Regional Branches of the POL-ILKO Association in Poland. Standardized research tools were used, including the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, the AIS scale, the SWLS scale, and the GSES scale. In addition, a proprietary survey tool was constructed to collect data on the patients past medical history and demographics. Results. With regard to the quality of life assessments, the highest scores were obtained in the environmental domain (29.43) while the lowest scores were obtained in the social domain (10.49). The mean scores reported using the GSES, AIS, and SWLS scales were 31.44, 26.85, and 23.14, respectively, indicating a high sense of self-sufficiency and an average level of acceptance of the disease and satisfaction with life. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were observed with regard to the values within all subscales of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire as well as in the AIS, SWLS, and GSES scales, depending on the most demographic variables and medical history. Conclusions. Participation in patient support groups increases access to health education and has a positive impact on the attitudes of stoma patients toward their condition and the quality of their lives. Keywords: stoma colorectal cancer support groups quality of life stoma management

Introduction.Predicted distant health-related quality of life is one of the key elements in the long-term assessment of the effectiveness of therapy, and a factor to be taken into account when deciding upon the choice of therapeutic options in modern cancer surgery. To assess the quality of life of patients having undergone surgical treatment for renal cell carcinoma. Material and methods.This cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of 44 (17 radical nephrectomy [RN], 27 nephron-sparing surgery [NSS]) patients having received surgical treatment for renal cell carcinoma at the Department of Urology of the University Hospital no. 2 in Bydgoszcz. The control group consisted of 24 subjects within a matching age range. The standardized WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used as the study tool. Results.No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed with regard to the subjectively assessed qu­ality of life depending on the type of surgery performed, i.e. RN vs. NSS. A positive correlation was observed between the higher scores within the social (p = 0.0453) and environmental (p = 0.0156) domains and the laparoscopic approach. Lower scores within the somatic (p = 0.0023), environmental (p = 0.0189) and emotional (p = 0.0356) scale domains were observed in female patients. A statistically significant inverse relationship was observed between the cancer stage and the self-assessed overall health scores (p = 0.0025). Conclusions.Minimally invasive surgical techniques open up the potential for the achievement of better quality of life of patients after surgery. Clinical and demographic variables influence the long-term health-related quality of life scores. Introduction.Predicted distant health-related quality of life is one of the key elements in the long-term assessment of the effectiveness of therapy, and a factor to be taken into account when deciding upon the choice of therapeutic options in modern cancer surgery. To assess the quality of life of patients having undergone surgical treatment for renal cell carcinoma. Material and methods.This cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of 44 (17 radical nephrectomy [RN], 27 nephron-sparing surgery [NSS]) patients having received surgical treatment for renal cell carcinoma at the Department of Urology of the University Hospital no. 2 in Bydgoszcz. The control group consisted of 24 subjects within a matching age range. The standardized WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used as the study tool. Results.No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed with regard to the subjectively assessed qu­ality of life depending on the type of surgery performed, i.e. RN vs. NSS. A positive correlation was observed between the higher scores within the social (p = 0.0453) and environmental (p = 0.0156) domains and the laparoscopic approach. Lower scores within the somatic (p = 0.0023), environmental (p = 0.0189) and emotional (p = 0.0356) scale domains were observed in female patients. A statistically significant inverse relationship was observed between the cancer stage and the self-assessed overall health scores (p = 0.0025). Conclusions.Minimally invasive surgical techniques open up the potential for the achievement of better quality of life of patients after surgery. Clinical and demographic variables influence the long-term health-related quality of life scores.

Purpose: Despite significant improvements in early detection of breast cancer, some patients still require mastectomy. One clinical problem currently being analyzed is the possibility of preserving the areola-nipple complex (NAC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment results of breast cancer patients who underwent mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction with sparing of the NAC. Methods: 335 patients who underwent mastectomy with breast reconstruction – with sparing (group I: 300 patients) or removal of NAC (group II: 35 patients), treated in the period 07.2014-06.2020. In the study groups, the length of overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were determined – up to 24 months after the end of treatment (short-term results) and up to 80 months (long-term results). The mean follow-up time of patients was 55.6 ± 19.7 months. Results: In 50 patients (14.9%), recurrence of neoplastic disease was observed (in group I: 14.7%, in group II: 17.1%; p=0.6972). It was most often a recurrence of cancer in the scar after mastectomy – in 25 patients (respectively: 7.7% vs 5.7%; p=0.6775) or distant metastases – in 16 patients (4.0% vs 11.4%; p=0.051). A total of 10 deaths were observed (6 – 2.0% vs 4 – 11.4%; p=0.0019). A total of 37 patients (10.7% vs 14.3%) required removal of their implant, mainly due to symptoms of infection – in 24 cases (7.3% vs 5.7%). Conclusion: Preserving the NAC is a safe therapeutic procedure in patients undergoing mastectomy with the option of reconstructive treatment. In both groups of patients, similar early and late treatment results were obtained.

Introduction: Low back pain is one of the commonly overlooked late complications of an intestinal stoma. Its severity may be associated with impaired quality of life across multiple dimensions of patient functioning. Objective: This cross-sectional study evaluated the impact of low back pain on self-reported health-related quality of life in colostomy patients. Material and Methods: The study was conducted using a cross-sectional questionnaire-based design across 12 regional branches of the Pol-ILKO Association in Poland between December 2023 and September 2024. The study sample consisted of 95 patients. The standardized Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire, which assesses the level of disability in patients with back pain, and the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, which assesses health-related quality of life, were used in the survey. In addition, detailed data on medical history, past surgical interventions, and stoma self-care skills were collected using an author-developed tool. Results: Greater disability due to back pain is associated with lower self-rated quality of life. The higher the degree of disability as assessed by the Oswestry questionnaire and the higher the number of postoperative complications, the worse the subjective rating of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (p < 0.05). Factors associated with a significantly (p < 0.05) increased risk of lower back pain include postoperative complications, irrespective of the time since stoma creation, as well as avoidance or restriction of full trunk movements. Preoperative agreement on the stoma site was associated with greater independence in stoma hygiene. Conclusions: The results underscore the importance of early and targeted interventions to improve physical and psychosocial well-being in the subject population, especially at the preoperative stage. More attention should be paid to the needs of colostomy patients, both in hospitals and in outpatient specialty care centers, to improve their overall quality of life and self-assessment of their condition.