Factors Influencing Survival Time in Patients Treated for Oesophageal Cancer with Palliative Intent in South Africa

Abstract

BackgroundMost patients presenting with oesophageal cancer to South African institutions present late with advanced disease and are eligible for palliative treatment only. The optimal management of these patients is dependent on their expected survival but factors affecting survival in our setting is unknown. MethodsWe assessed factors influencing survival in patients diagnosed with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma at Grey's hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Factors assessed for effect on prognosis included patient demographics, clinical and laboratory data and tumour factors. Patients were divided into two groups; those that survived for less than or equal to three months and those that survived for more than three months.Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine which factors significantly influenced whether patients survived for more than three months or not. ResultsA total of 384 patients were entered into the study. There were 218 males with a female to male ratio of 1:1.3. The median survival of the cohort was 3.7 months. One hundred and sixty-one (41.9%) patients survived three months or less, while 223 (58.1%) of patients survived more than three months. Factors that influenced survival on univariate and multivariate analysis were the area of residence, body mass index, serum albumin and performance status.ConclusionArea of residence, body mass index, serum albumin and performance status significantly affect survival in patients treated palliatively for advanced oesophageal cancer at our institution. This knowledge can be used to plan the optimal management algorithm for these patients.