Quality-of-life 3 Years Or More After Esophagectomy for Cancer

Collard, Jean-Marie;Otte, Jean-Bernard;Reynaert, Marc;Kestens, PJ.
(1992) The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery — Vol. 104, n° 2, p. 391-394 (1992)

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  • Collard, Jean-MarieUCLouvain
    Author
  • Otte, Jean-BernardUCLouvain
    Author
  • Reynaert, MarcUCLouvain
    Author
  • Kestens, PJ.
    Author
Abstract
The quality of life and alimentary comfort of 17 patients with esophageal cancer who were disease free more than 3 years after an esophageal resection were evaluated by analyzing responses to a follow-up questionnaire. Fourteen patients had subtotal esophagectomy and gastric pull-up to the neck. Three patients underwent a total esophagopharyngolaryngectomy, the digestive continuity being restored by means of an isoperistaltic colon segment interposed between the base of the tongue and the stomach. Current body weight, when compared with that existing postoperatively, was increased in 13 patients and unchanged in four. The number of meats per day was an average of 2.8, but 12 patients took additional snacks between main meals (2.3 as a mean). The major long-term complaints were a sensation of early fullness during eating in 11 patients, dysphagia in three, diarrhea in two, cough-induced vomiting in two, and postprandial sweating in two. Ratings given by self-evaluation of current alimentary comfort in comparison with that predating the initial esophageal symptoms ranged from 3 of 10 to 10 of 10 (mean 7.1/10). Thirteen patients led active lives, seven at home and six employed outside the home. The present survey suggests that most disease-free patients may obtain a satisfactory quality of life after esophagectomy and gastric or colonic pull-up; long-term alimentary comfort is conditioned mainly by the small capacity of the esophageal substitute.
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Collard, J.-M., Otte, J.-B., Reynaert, M., & Kestens, PJ. (1992). Quality-of-life 3 Years Or More After Esophagectomy for Cancer. The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 104(2), 391-394. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/147722 (Original work published 1992)