Quality of life after oesophagectomy in patients with carcinoma of oesophagus: A prospective study.

Background: The present study was done to see if quality of life improves following oesophagectomy for carcinoma of oesophagus. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study done from June 2007 to July 2009. All patients undergoing oesophagectomy and cervical anastomoses for squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of oesophagus were included in the study. Quality of life assessment was done using EORTC QLQ C-30 and its oesophagus specific module (OES-18) before surgery and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Results: There were 55 patients who underwent oesophagectomy for carcinoma of oesophagus. On the EORTC functional scale it was noted that patients undergoing transhiatal oesophagectomy showed significant improvement of emotional function only. Patients undergoing transthoracic oesophagectomy showed a decrease in functional scores in the first three months which improved later but this change was not significant. On the EORTC symptom scale, patients undergoing transhiatal oesophagectomy showed significant improvement of constipation but not in other symptoms. Patients undergoing transthoracic oesophagectomy showed an increase in symptoms for the first three months followed by a decrease which was significant with respect to scores for constipation and pain. On the EORTC oesophagus specific symptom scores, patients in both groups showed significant improvement of dysphagia and eating. Conclusion: Patients with carcinoma of oesophagus undergoing transhiatal oesophagectomy may not show significant improvement in quality of life. However there will be significant improvement in dysphagia and eating. Patients undergoing transthoracic oesophagectomy may show an initial decrease in the quality of life.