Prognostic Implication of Postoperative Weight Loss After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Cancer

Background Preoperative weight loss in esophageal cancer is reported to be associated with a poor prognosis. However, the impact of postoperative weight loss on the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer remains unclear. Methods This study included 186 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent surgery between January 2012 and January 2015. The relationship between weight loss 6 months after esophagectomy as well as the clinical factors and prognosis of patients was investigated. Results The mean weight loss rate for all the patients was 9.3% at 3 months, 10.8% at 6 months, 11.1% at 12 months, and 11.4% at 24 months after surgery. The patients with severe weight loss 6 months after surgery (≥ 12%) exhibited lower serum albumin levels and a lower prognostic nutrition index 6 months after esophagectomy than the patients with moderate weight loss (