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World J Gastroenterol. May 28, 2006; 12(20): 3213-3218
Published online May 28, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i20.3213
Surgical perspectives in gastrointestinal disease: A study of quality of life outcomes in esophageal, pancreatic, colon, and rectal cancers
Kate V Viola, Charlotte Ariyan, Julie Ann Sosa
Kate V Viola, Charlotte Ariyan, Julie Ann Sosa, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8062, United States
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Julie Ann Sosa, MD, FACS, Assistant Professor of Surgery and Clinical Epidemiology, Section of Oncologic and Endocrine Surgery, 330 Cedar Street, TMP 204, PO Box 208062, New Haven, CT 06520-8062, United States. sosa@yale.edu
Telephone: +1-203-7852314 Fax: +1-203-7374067
Received: March 29, 2006
Revised: April 7, 2006
Accepted: April 16, 2006
Published online: May 28, 2006
Abstract

Outcomes assessment in surgery traditionally has included data regarding peri-operative mortality and morbidity, as well as long-term survival and recurrence in surgical oncology. However, quality of life (QOL) is another important patient-related outcome measure. QOL data can be used to tailor treatment and improve clinical outcomes by detecting physical or psychological problems in patients that otherwise might be overlooked, but which have profound implications for the effective delivery of care. We review several well-validated QOL instruments developed specifically for use in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies, including esophageal, pancreatic and colorectal cancers, and conclude that QOL assessment routinely should be included in clinical trials of novel treatments.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal malignancy; Quality of life; Patient-related outcomes