Chronological Changes of Quality of Life in Long-Term Survivors after Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

Abstract

PurposeA few studies have prospectively evaluated changes in quality of life (QoL) after surgery in short-term survivors; however, no prospective study has evaluated the longitudinal changes in QoL in long-terms survivors. We prospectively evaluated the chronological changes in QoL after a gastrectomy over a 5-year postoperative period in a large group of patients.Materials and MethodsQoL data from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and the QLQ-STO22 questionnaires were obtained from 254 patients who completed the entire series of QoL assessments preoperatively and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years after surgery.ResultsThere was no statistically significant change in global health status/QoL during the 5-year postoperative period. Decreases in QoL from upper gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea (p < 0.001), dysphagia (p < 0.001), reflux symptoms (p=0.029), and eating restrictions (p < 0.001) were observed among the long-term survivors. Decreased physical functioning (p < 0.001), role functioning (p < 0.001), and cognitive functioning (p < 0.001), along with fatigue (p=0.045) and a poor body image (p=0.003), negatively impacted the patients’ QoL for a long time.ConclusionManagement of gastrointestinal symptoms should be specifically targeted as a part of long-term patient care after a gastrectomy. Proper nutritional care will improve food intake resulting in weight gain and improved physical functioning, role functioning, and body image. In addition, patients should be encouraged to preserve self-esteem and maintain social activity.

Changes in bone metabolism after gastric cancer surgery in male patients: a prospective observational study

“…The present study demonstrated that the percent changes from the baseline BMD were − 4.03% in the first postoperative year and − 0.96% in the second postoperative year. Previous studies reported that food consumption decreases in the first postoperative year and gradually improves subsequently [25][26][27]. Our study suggested that reduced food consumption in the early postgastrectomy period strongly affected the BMD, which decreased by 4% in year 1 after surgery.…”

The role of trait emotional intelligence in quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms after surgery for esophageal or gastric cancer: A French national database FREGAT

“…In fact, surgery and postsurgery complications result in a significant deterioration in their HRQoL . Moreover, this can be reinforced by the fact that patients are not sufficiently informed about the impact of surgery and the long‐term changes in HRQoL . Several mediators or moderators could improve the current understanding of the role of EC in the HRQoL of these patients after surgery.…”

“…Although surgery is the standard curative treatment, it is among those that most affect quality of life and lead to distress . Surgery tends to cause a major deterioration in patients' health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) with a slow and long recovery . Between the presurgery and postsurgery stages, although patients report a stabilization of their anxiety level, they generally experience an increase in their depression symptoms .…”

“…1,2 Surgery tends to cause a major deterioration in patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with a slow and long recovery. 1,[3][4][5][6][7][8] Between the presurgery and postsurgery stages, although patients report a stabilization of their anxiety level, they generally experience an increase in their depression symptoms. 9 However, little is known about the predictors of the postoperative HRQoL and anxiety and depression symptoms of patients with esophageal or gastric cancer.…”

The effect of medications which cause inflammation of the gastro‐oesophageal tract on cancer risk: a nested case–control study of routine Scottish data

“…Prognosis is extremely poor, even in OECD countries such as the UK, where around 55% of patients die within one year of diagnosis . Those who survive suffer a marked reduction in their quality of life during treatment and recovery . Inflammation is a well‐established risk factor for cancer, and various mechanisms have been proposed to explain this connection .…”