title: 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 1year 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 1year after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The questionnaires were completed by 92 of 100 patients. Median duration of follow-up after surgery at completing the questionnaire was 36months (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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Global HRQL more than 1year 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R D L
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Akkerman
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Haverkamp
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P S N
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: van Rossum
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Hillegersberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands. Electronic address: J.P.Ruurda@umcutrecht.nl.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ruurda
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Oesophageal neoplasms; Oesophagectomy; Quality of life