Health-related quality of life and survival in the 2 years after surgery for gastric cancer

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61 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background This prospective study examined health-related quality of life (HRQL) and survival in patients with potentially curable gastric cancer. Methods Consecutive patients (n = 58) selected for curative surgery completed a validated questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and site-specific module (QLQ-STO22) before surgery and regularly for 2 years afterwards. Changes of 10 or more points on a 0–100 scale were considered clinically significant. Results Some 30 patients were alive after 2 years (52%). In the first 3 months after surgery, HRQL was significantly reduced across all dimensions except emotional and cognitive functioning (mean reduction of 10 or more points). Functional aspects of HRQL recovered by 6 months in patients who subsequently were alive at 2 years, although at least a third of patients experienced specific symptoms, even 6 months after surgery, especially diarrhoea. For those dying within 2 years, some postoperative functional HRQL recovery occurred, but many symptoms were common. Conclusions Potentially curative gastrectomy for cancer has a detrimental impact on HRQL that mostly recovers in patients surviving some 2 years. Patients who die within 2 years may experience limited postoperative recovery. It is recommended that patients receive HRQL information about the outcomes of surgery for gastric cancer.
Translated title of the contributionHealth-related quality of life and survival in the 2 years after surgery for gastric cancer
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)148 - 154
Number of pages7
JournalEuropean Journal of Surgical Oncology
Volume36(2)
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2010

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