Research Article: “Surviving is not enough”: shifting the focus from treatment success to quality of life in anal cancer survivors. Patient- reported outcomes and the evolving landscape of survivorship care
Abstract:
Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (ACC), achieving excellent local control and sphincter preservation. However, many long-term survivors experience persistent bowel, urinary, sexual, and psycho social sequelae affecting quality of life (QoL). The PROACT study (Patient – Reported Outcomes in Anal Cancer Patients Treated with Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy; NCT06364579) wants to explore the relationship between oncologic outcomes and patient-reported QoL in the era of modern radiotherapy.
This single-institution ambispective study included patients with a diagnosis of ACC treated between 2011 and 2024 with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)-based CRT, followed—when indicated—by an image guided interventional radiotherapy (IRT) boost. Oncologic outcomes and toxicity were assessed using standard criteria. QoL was evaluated annually up to 5 years post-treatment using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and anal cancer–specific QLQ-ANL27 questionnaires. Statistical analyses explored associations between QoL domains and patient-, disease-, and treatment-related factors.
Median age was 62 years (range 34–83); 82.2% were female. Median follow-up was 51 months. Three- and five-year overall survival were both 97.5%. Disease-free survival was 88.2% and 84.5% at three and five years, respectively, while locoregional relapse-free survival was 92.8% and 89.0%. Colostomy-free survival showed identical rates at three and five years (97.3%). Late? G3 Gastrointestinal toxicity occurred in 6 patients (6.7%). Compared with the general population, both sexes reported significantly higher global QoL (males p = 0.002; females p = 0.001), while diarrhea was worst in women ( p = 0.0008). Younger age (<70 years), female sex, and late GI toxicity correlated with poorer functional outcomes, particularly in bowel and sexual domains.
PROACT underscores that treatment success in anal cancer extends beyond cure, encompassing survivorship, functionality, and well-being. Integrating oncologic and patient-reported outcomes offers a comprehensive, patient-centered framework for optimizing long-term care.
Introduction:
Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (ACC), achieving excellent local control and sphincter preservation. However, many long-term survivors experience persistent bowel, urinary, sexual, and psycho social sequelae affecting quality of life (QoL). The PROACT study (Patient – Reported Outcomes in Anal Cancer Patients Treated with Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy; NCT06364579) wants to explore the relationship between oncologic outcomes and patient-reported…
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