Long-term survivors of esophageal cancer: disease-specific quality of life, general health and complications

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of our study was to assess the quality of life as well as secondary cancers/diseases and esophagectomy-related or unrelated interventions in the long-term course of surgery.

Patients and methods: Out of 417 patients who underwent esophageal resection for cancer between September 1985 and November 2003, 85 were defined as long-term survivors (≥5 years). Fifty patients still alive in November 2008 complied with our inclusion criteria. The general (QLQ-C 30, version 3.0) as well as the esophagus specific quality of life (QLQ-OES 18) were analyzed with the help of the EORTC QLQ-questionnaires.

Results: The median observation interval since the operation was 100.1 (range 60-238) months. A median Global Health Status of quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C 30) of 66.7 was found (range 16.7-100). Among the functioning scores, emotional (83.3 (range 16.7-100)) and cognitive functioning (83.3 (range 0-100)) were highest. The esophagus-specific quality of life (EORTC QLQ-OES 18) revealed a median value (scale 0-100) of 0 each for dysphagia and difficulties with swallowing saliva, whilst reflux was a major problem with a score of 50.0 (range 0-100).

Conclusion: Our results show that long-term survival with a good quality of life is possible after curative esophagectomy for carcinoma.