Quality of life after liver resection for hepatobiliary malignancies.
BACKGROUND
Few prospective longitudinal studies have used a validated quality of life (QOL) instrument in patients undergoing liver resection for hepatobiliary malignancy.


METHODS
Patients undergoing liver resection for hepatobiliary tumours in a 1-year period were enrolled. The cancer-specific European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer core questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) was completed before operation, and at 6, 12 and 36-48 months after surgery. QOL over time was analysed in relation to several clinical factors.


RESULTS
A total of 103 patients were enrolled. Patient compliance was at least 75 per cent at all stages. Most functional scales and the global QOL scale showed a non-significant trend towards deterioration at 6 months and a return to preoperative level at 12 months. Physical functioning and dyspnoea deteriorated significantly at 6 months (P = 0.020 and P = 0.004 respectively) and did not recover by 12 months (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001 respectively). Pain and fatigue showed clinically significant deterioration over 12 months, which was not statistically significant. Survivors without recurrence at 36-48 months showed better QOL than those with recurrent disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Major liver resection is associated with acceptable QOL outcomes, and QOL continues to improve in the long term in those without recurrence.
Dasgupta
D
D
Department of HPB and Transplant Surgery, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Smith
A B
AB
Hamilton-Burke
W
W
Prasad
K R
KR
Toogood
G J
GJ
Velikova
G
G
Lodge
J P A
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001661:Biliary Tract Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000523:psychology; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires