Editorial comment on: Factors predicting health-related quality of life recovery in patients undergoing surgical treatment for renal tumors: prospective evaluation using the RAND SF-36 Health Survey.

摘要

This study is important because, for the first time, the impact of kidney cancer surgery on health-related quality of life (QoL) has been evaluated prospectively compared with the baseline situation prior to treatment and with the general population [1]. An increasing number of renal masses are being diagnosed incidentally. These tumours are associated with favourable outcomes; thus, QpL is an important factor for the affected patients. At 1 yr after surgery, the majority, yet not all, of patients had returned to baseline values. Impairment was mainly noted in physical functions, whereas an improvement was noted in emotional and psychological domains.