Long-term quality of life after oesophagectomy with gastric conduit interposition for cancer

Abstract Background Gaining insight in long-term health-related quality of life more than 1 year after oesophagectomy will assist clinical decision-making and inform patients about the long-term consequences of surgery. Methods In this cross-sectional study, all consecutive patients who underwent oesophageal resection with gastric interposition for cancer at a tertiary referral centre between January 2007 and July 2012 were included. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaire (QLQ)-C30 and QLQ-OES18 were sent to all patients alive without recurrence more than 1 year after surgery. Results The questionnaires were completed by 92 of 100 patients. Median duration of follow-up after surgery at completing the questionnaire was 36 months (range: 12–75). Global quality of life scores were similar to a general population reference group (76 ± 19 versus 78 ± 17; p = 0.26). However, patients scored significantly worse compared to the general population reference group on physical-, role-, cognitive- and social functioning ( p < 0.001). Neoadjuvant therapy and minimally invasive oesophagectomy were associated with significantly better health-related quality of life (HRQL) and symptom scores ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Global HRQL more than 1 year after oesophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction is comparable to the general Dutch background population, while specific functional and symptom scores are significantly worse. Neoadjuvant therapy and minimally invasive surgery are associated with quality of life benefits in long-term survivors.