Quality of life after minimally invasive esophagectomy: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Surgery remains essential in the curative treatment of esophageal cancer (EC), but it is known for its high morbidity and impaired health-related QoL. Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) was introduced to reduce surgical trauma and improve QoL. Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate long-term HRQoL after MIE in comparison to the general population. HRQoL assessment was based on three questionnaires: the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Core 30 (QLQ-C30, version 3), the EORTC QLQ Oesophago Gastric 25 (QLQ-OG25), and the Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form34 (SCNS-SF34). Results were compared to a healthy reference population.Results: One hundred and forty eligible MIE patients were identified, of whom met the inclusion criteria, and 49 completed all questionnaires. Patients reported a significantly better mean score on the global health status and QoL than the healthy reference population (71.5 +/- 15.1 versus 66.1 +/- 21.7; p=0.016). However, patients scored significantly worse about functioning (physical, role and social) (p<0.05), fatigue (p=0.021), eating, dysphagia, pain and discomfort, reflux, appetite loss, weight loss, coughing, and taste (p< 0.001).Discussion/Conclusion: EC survivors can reach a high global health status and QoL at least one year after MIE, despite long-term functional, nutritional and gastrointestinal complaints.Patients provided written informed consent, and the study protocol was approved by the ethics committee of Ghent University hospital (identifier: ID B670201940737).

Automated summary

Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) can improve the quality of life for patients with esophageal cancer, although long-term functional, nutritional, and gastrointestinal issues may persist.