In contemporary era of rectal cancer treatment, development of surgical technique and tool, adaptation of chemoradiation therapy, as well as multidisciplinary approach have led increased survival as well as rate of sphincter preservation. However, poor anorectal function, such as fecal incontinence and/or urgency, has also been increased. Such anorectal dysfunction is named as low anterior resection syndrome, and its rate has been reported in 40 to 90% in rectal cancer patients who received sphincter preserving surgery. Low anterior resection syndrome is known to debilitate quality of life in survivors of rectal cancer. Previously, several studies attempted to evaluate the low anterior resection syndrome via questionnaires and scoring system. Adapting the low anterior resection syndrome score system created in Denmark, this study investigates the validity of the scoring system in Korean language.

In this study, the low anterior resection syndrome score questionnaire proposed by Therese Juul is translated to Korean language by 3 different professional translators. Patients who received sphincter saving surgery to treat rectal cancer will be asked to fill up the questionnaire. Compiling the results, the quality of life after sphincter preserving surgery will be investigated in the association with the low anterior resection syndrome.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 20-80
• surgery undertook from Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2016
• diagnosed with adenocarcinoma
• curative intent of surgery
• planned surgery
• sphincter saving surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients with stage IV
• emergency surgery
• patients with recurrent disease

Rectal cancer patients who underwent sphincter preserving surgery from Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2016 will be included.

Patients who are in use of stoma despite of preserved sphincter, are with recurrent disease, or in systemic metastasis, who underwent emergency surgery will not be included.