PhD defence Alexander Johannes Pennings

Keywords: Colorectal carcinoma, Quality of life, PROMs, Biomarkers

"Colorectal Cancer: Patient Outcomes and Emerging Innovations"

: This thesis investigates how colorectal cancer and its treatments affect patients’ quality of life. Colorectal cancer is common in the Netherlands, and thanks to screening and better treatments, more people survive the disease. The thesis shows that many survivors experience long-term physical and emotional effects, such as fatigue, bowel problems, and anxiety, which can lower quality of life.

The research highlights the value of patient-reported questionnaires to understand how individuals experience symptoms and daily functioning. These tools help healthcare providers tailor care to patient needs. Overall, Dutch colorectal cancer survivors report good quality of life, but a significant number still suffer persistent symptoms.

The thesis also explores new diagnostic approaches, including immune activity in lymph nodes and breath analysis. While promising, these methods are not yet ready for routine clinical use.

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