Evaluation of the quality of life after surgical treatment for thoracic esophageal cancer

Background Surgical treatment for thoracic esophageal cancer is highly invasive. The importance of evaluating the postoperative quality of life (QOL) is beginning to be recognized. Methods We reviewed the QOL of 46 patients who had undergone thoracolaparotomy for thoracic esophageal cancer using questionnaires (a questionnaire prepared at our department and the scale of health-related QOL [sf36v-2]) and respiratory function tests. Results (1) Results of the sf36v-2: there was no significant difference other than score of bodily pain (BP) and score of role, physical (RP). (2) Results of our questionnaire: (2-1) activity: the activity level recovered nearly to the preoperative level in 70% of the patients after a mean of 10.4 months post-esophagectomy. (2-2) Wounds: none of the patients complained of chronic pain or inconvenience in daily living. (2-3) Eating: the mean quantity of food per meal was about 2/3 of the quantity before surgery. Seventeen patients felt some problems concerning the passage of food through the site of anastomosis. A mean weight loss of about 7 kg was observed after surgery compared with the preoperative level. (3) Results of respiratory function tests: significant differences were observed in % vital capacity and % maximum ventilation volume but not in forced expiratory volume in 1 second compared with the preoperative levels (P < 0.01). Conclusions The postoperative QOL of patients who underwent esophagectomy was maintained at a satisfactory level. Their respiratory function was slightly reduced compared with the preoperative level, but their daily activities were similar to those of healthy people, and their eating problems were tolerable.