Analysis of Factors Associated with Weight Loss After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer

To investigate the factors associated with weight loss (WL) after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. We retrospectively reviewed 136 patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Preoperative characteristics, surgical methods, postoperative outcomes and weight changes at 6 months after surgery were analyzed. Seventy-eight patients had more than 10% WL compared to their weight at surgery. On univariate analysis, higher body mass index [(BMI): ≥20.8; p=0.012] and shorter length of hospitalization [(LOH); p=0.041] demonstrated an association with more than 10% WL. On multivariate analysis, higher BMI [odds ratio (OR)=2.821; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.238-6.426; p=0.014] and shorter LOH (OR=2.953; 95% CI=1.009-8.646; p=0.048) were independently associated with more than 10% WL. Higher BMI and shorter LOH were unfavorable risk factors for WL after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.