Patient Experiences Following Urinary Diversion as Part of Surgery for Advanced and Recurrent Rectal Cancer

The outcomes of patients who undergo radical surgery for locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer have improved vastly, but there is a lack of emphasis on the quality-of-life outcomes of these patients. This study will assess the patient experience of having a stoma for urinary diversion as part of surgery for advanced pelvic malignancy. This will be assessed at regular intervals both before and after surgery with the goal of increasing awareness of patient beliefs and concerns with regards to their stomas and to devise interventions that will improve their quality-of-life.