Long-term quality of life (QoL) and physical functioning in patients aged ≥70 years with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who received curative-intent local surgical or ablative therapy for metastases, measured at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months using EQ-5D-5L, EQ-VAS, and EORTC QLQ-C30 (n=122, median age 74 years).
No clinically relevant changes in QoL or physical functioning were found over 12 months; a small, sub-threshold decline in physical functioning at 3 months fully recovered to baseline thereafter. Overall survival was ~100% at 3 months and ~90% at 12 months. Having ≥4 comorbidities was independently associated with declining QoL and physical functioning over time.
Single-country cohort (Netherlands) with potential selection bias, as only patients fit enough to receive curative-intent local therapy were included; no control group of older patients who did not receive treatment; relatively small sample (n=122) limits subgroup analyses.
Older patients (≥70 years) selected for curative local treatment of colorectal metastases can be reassured that QoL and physical functioning are generally well preserved over the first year. Clinicians should pay closer attention to patients with ≥4 comorbidities, who are at risk for deteriorating QoL and physical function.
