Long-term patient-reported values following cancer surgery: A global survey study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the long-term quality of life (QOL) and priorities of an international cohort of cancer surgery survivors.

METHODS

Patients were surveyed through online support groups. We utilized the Short Form-12 questionnaire to evaluate QOL and a novel survey to assess the relative importance of longevity, experience, and costs.

RESULTS

A total of 592 patients from six continents responded. They were 58 ± 12 years old, 70% female, and 92% White. Patients averaged 37 months from their initial cancer diagnosis, with a maximum survivorship of 46 years. Across 17 disease sites, respondents generally ranked longevity, functional independence, and emotional well-being most important, while treatment experience and costs were ranked least important (W = 33.6%, p < 0.001). However, a subset of respondents ranked costs as significantly important. There were no differences in QOL based on demographics, except patients with higher education and income reported better QOL scores. Despite improvements in QOL throughout survivorship, both physical-QOL (41.1 ± 11.1 at 1 year vs. 42.3 ± 12.6 at 5 years, p = 0.511) and mental-QOL (41.3 ± 13.4 at 1 year vs. 44.6 ± 13.9 at 5 years, p = 0.039) remained below that of the general population (50 ± 10; both p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer survivors experience enduring physical and mental impairment throughout survivorship. Future efforts should aim to provide sustained support across varied socioeconomic groups, ensuring equitable care and enhancement of QOL postcancer treatment.