2026 Volume 4 Pages 15-22
Background: This study aimed to evaluate changes in quality of life (QOL) and physical function one month after liver cancer surgery and their associations.
Methods: Twenty-four patients who underwent liver cancer surgery at our institution (June 2022-December 2024) were included. QOL (SF-36: PCS, MCS, RCS) and physical function (six-minute walk distance [6MWD], skeletal muscle mass index [SMI], handgrip strength, 4-meter gait speed, phase angle, extracellular water/total body water ratio [ECW/TBW]) were assessed preoperatively and one month postoperatively. Changes were compared, and correlations between physical function and SF-36 changes were analyzed.
Results: One month postoperatively, RCS significantly declined (p = 0.017), with decreases in RP, BP, SF, and RE (p < 0.05). SMI, handgrip strength, and phase angle significantly decreased, while ECW/TBW increased (p < 0.05). Changes in 6MWD and gait speed were not significant. ΔRCS and Δ6MWD showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.57, p = 0.004).
Conclusion: QOL decline after liver cancer surgery was mainly due to reduced RCS, which was strongly associated with a decrease in 6MWD.
