Perspectives of Rectal Cancer Patients Undergoing Non-Operative Management (NOM): A Qualitative Study.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Patient-Reported Outcomes
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Non-operative management (NOM) is gaining traction for rectal cancer patients with a complete response to neoadjuvant therapy.
• Limited understanding exists regarding patient perspectives on NOM for rectal cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and understand the lived experiences and perspectives of rectal cancer patients managed non-operatively.
• To identify key factors influencing patient decision-making and satisfaction with NOM.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with fourteen rectal cancer patients treated with NOM.
• Analysis of interview responses using the constant comparative method to identify thematic categories.

Main Results:

• Four major themes emerged: impact of diagnosis, treatment values, decision-making factors, and surveillance impact.
• Avoidance of a stoma was a primary driver for treatment values and decision-making.
• Trust in physicians and satisfaction with NOM were significant, even with psychological surveillance burdens.

Conclusions:

• Patient perspectives highlight the critical role of stoma avoidance and physician trust in NOM decisions.
• Understanding these patient-centered factors is crucial for effective counseling and shared decision-making in rectal cancer NOM.
• NOM offers a satisfactory alternative for patients without recurrence, despite surveillance challenges.