title: Quality of life in patients with esophageal cancer receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy or esophagectomy.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to assess the variation in the quality of life (QOL) of patients with esophageal cancer receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy or esophagectomy, and to explore the main factors that affects QOL. A total of 102 patients with esophageal cancer receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy or esophagectomy were assessed using a QOL questionnaire, and a numeric score was calculated in each conceptual area and compared with reference data by a statistical method. With regards to the impacts on the QOL, the chemoradiotherapy had less of an impact compared with esophagectomy. The QOL declined following the two treatments, but was restored in a specific period of time. In the present study, the main factors that affected the QOL of patients included physical function, fatigue and pain. Definitive chemoradiotherapy is therefore superior to esophagectomy with regard to its effect on the QOL. The two treatments had an effect on the QOL of patients, but this effect was temporary and was resumed after a period of time.
authors: Department of Radiation, Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China.
authors: Yajuan
authors: Y
authors: Lv
authors: Department of Radiation, Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China.
authors: Jiandong
authors: J
authors: Zhang
authors: Department of Radiation, Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250014, P.R. China.
authors: Lili
authors: L
authors: Qiao
keywords: chemoradiotherapy; esophageal cancer; esophagectomy; quality of life