Assessment of long-term rectal function in patients who received pelvic radiotherapy: a pooled North Central Cancer Treatment Group trial analysis, N09C1

Purpose Pelvic radiotherapy (PRT) is known to adversely affect bowel function (BF) and patient well-being. This study characterized long-term BF and evaluated quality of life (QOL) in patients receiving PRT. Methods Data from 252 patients were compiled from two North Central Cancer Treatment Group prospective studies, which included assessment of BF and QOL by the BF questionnaire (BFQ) and Uniscale QOL at baseline and 12 and 24 months after completion of radiotherapy. BFQ scores (sum of symptoms), Uniscale results, adverse-event incidence, and baseline demographic data were compared via t test, χ 2 , Fisher exact, Wilcoxon, and correlation methodologies. Results The total BFQ score was higher than baseline at 12 and 24 months ( P