Weight loss and quality of life in patients surviving 2 years after gastric cancer resection. Issue 7 (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Climent, M.; Munarriz, M.; Blazeby, J.M.; Dorcaratto, D.; Ramón, J.M.; Carrera, M.J.; Fontane, L.; Grande, L.; Pera, M.
• Is Part Of: European journal of surgical oncology. Volume 43:Issue 7(2017:Jul.)
• Page Start: 1337
• Page End: 1343
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: Gastric cancer -- Surgery -- Quality of life -- Weight loss; Oncology -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Medical Oncology -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- surgery -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Chirurgie -- Périodiques; Cancérologie -- Périodiques; Oncologie; Chirurgie (geneeskunde); Electronic journals; Electronic journals -- Sciences; Electronic journals -- Medicine; Electronic journals; 616.994059005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2017.01.239
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0748-7983

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Malnutrition is common in patients undergoing gastric cancer resection, leading to weight loss, although little is known about how this impacts on health-related quality of life (HRQL). This study aimed to explore the association between HRQL and weight loss in patients 2 years after curative gastric cancer resection. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing curative gastric cancer resection and surviving at least 2 years without disease recurrence were recruited. Patients completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the specific module for gastric cancer (STO22) before and 2 years postoperatively and associations between HRQL scores and patients with and without ≥ 10% body weight loss (BWL) were examined. Results: A total of 76 patients were included, of whom 51 (67%) had BWL ≥10%. At 2 years postoperatively, BWL ≥10% was associated with deterioration of all functional aspects of quality of life, with persistent pain (21.6%), diarrhoea (13.7%) and nausea/vomiting (13.7%). By contrast, none of the patients with BWL <10% experienced severe nausea/vomiting, pain or diarrhoea. Conclusions: Disabling symptoms occurred more frequently in patients with ≥10% BWL than in those with <10% BWL, with a relevant negative impact on HRQL. A cause–effect relationship between weight loss and postoperative outcome remains unsolved.