QUALITY-OF-LIFE ASSESSMENT IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING TREATMENT FOR ESOPHAGEAL-CARCINOMA

In a prospective study of 69 patients being treated for oesophageal ca rcinoma, quality of life was assessed with the Rotterdam Symptom Check list, a dysphagia score and an activities of daily living questionnair e. Significant correlations were found between the results of the Rott erdam Symptom Checklist, the dysphagia score and most aspects of the a ctivities of daily living questionnaire. Eighteen patients underwent s urgery, 43 radiotherapy or intubation, and eight a combination of surg ery and other therapy. Patients undergoing surgery were significantly younger and had better scores in all parameters examined before operat ion, including significantly better scores in 'knowledge and communica tion' and 'mobility and fatigue'. The dysphagia score fell significant ly after intervention both in patients undergoing surgery alone and in those receiving palliative therapy. The activities of daily living qu estionnaire showed significant improvements in two parameters in the s urgical group ('self-care' and 'eating and drinking') and in none of t he parameters assessed in the palliation group in 16 weeks. Quality-of -life assessment is useful in assessing quality of care and patient we ll-being after the diagnosis and treatment of oesophageal carcinoma.