Effects of laparoscopic surgery in colorectal cancer patients: quality of life, emotional state and satisfaction

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate quality of life, emotional state and satisfaction perceived with the treatment and the medical team in a sample of colorrectal cancer patients in which has been carried laparoscopic surgery. The sample is constituted by 35 patients and the variables objects of study were: a) sociodemographics: age and sex; b) quality of life (EORTC QLQ C-30); c) anxiety and depression (HADS); d) satisfaction with the treatment and the medical team (categorical scale). The obtained results show that dimensions of global quality of life, physical function, role, emotional, cognitive and social are highly satisfactory, despite many patients show fatigue, nauseous, and pain symptoms. In reference to the anxiety and depression scores in the HADS are low: mean: 4,57 and 3,38 respectively, 19% of the sample can be considered clinical case of depression and 29% of anxiety. The perceived satisfaction is elevated, more than 50% of the patients were considered very or totally satisfied. It is concluded that the colorectal cancer patients need an integral attention in order to improve the quality of life and the emotional state, because the mere step of time does not produce a recovery. A psychological intervention is necessary to optimize the welfare quality. This intervention should be applied since the start of the medical process.