Work

213 Evaluating Symptom Burden Post Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Surgery

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Aim Oesophago-gastric cancer (OGC) surgery is a major, life-altering intervention and patients experience a wide range of symptoms post-surgery. This observational study aimed to evaluate the symptoms that patients experience post OGC surgery at a single tertiary OGC centre. Method Patients without active disease were eligible if they attended the Quality-of-Life OGC clinic between December 2024 and April 2025 or had surgery within the last 2 years. Symptom data was collected using a validated EORTC IL278 questionnaire on paper and via electronic email link on REDCAP. Response options for each symptom were “not at all”, “a little”, “quite a bit” (moderate) or “very much” (severe). Data was analysed using SPSS version 30. Results 82.6% (n=100) of eligible participants responded. Mean age; 67.2 (28- 88, SD 10.88), 80% male, 66% post-oesophagectomy, 34% post-gastrectomy. The most severely reported symptom was tiredness (31.5%). Of participants within 2 years of surgery (n=64); 28.1% reported moderate to severe symptoms of weight loss, 18.8% to early satiety and 79.69% responded “quite a bit” or “very much” to at least one symptom question. There was a significant difference in participants reporting moderate to severe symptoms of unintentional flatus post-gastrectomy (29.4%) versus post-oesophagectomy (7.8%, p .003). 10.71% of post-gastrectomy participants reported moderate to severe symptoms of dizziness when eating, zero post-oesophagectomy participants gave this response (p .018). Conclusions This study highlighted a high symptom burden post OGC surgery with >75% of patients reporting that they experienced at least one symptom to a moderate or severe degree.

Source: British journal of surgery

DOI: 10.1093/bjs/znaf270.168