LARS in Ovarian Cancer Patients

Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) in Ovarian Cancer Patients - a Multi-centre Comparative Analysis.

Background:

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is a common functional disorder after low anterior resection impacting quality of life. Data on LARS derives nearly exclusively from rectal cancer studies. Therefore, the study was designed to assess LARS in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients, who underwent rectal resection and to compare it with a female rectal cancer cohort.

Methods:

A cross-sectional multi-centre analysis was performed for female patients suffering from either rectal or EOC who received a low anterior resection as part of their therapy regimen. None of the patients received pre- or postoperative radiotherapy. LARS was defined by using the validated LARS score and its severity was divided into "no", "minor" and "major LARS".

Inclusion Criteria:

• low anterior resection because of ovarian or rectal cancer

Exclusion Criteria:

• neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiotherapy