Surgical perspectives in gastrointestinal disease: A study of quality of life outcomes in esophageal, pancreatic, colon, and rectal cancers

Figure 1 To measure QOL, social, psychological and physical domains of illness are assessed using measurement scales (z). QOL (Q) is dependent on both subjective and objective items. For a questionnaire to be validated, Z must equal Q. (Reprinted with permission from Testa et al N Engl J Med 334: 835-840, 1996).

Figure 2 The EORTC QLQ-18 is a specific module for esophageal cancer. Patients complete the questionnaire based on QOL symptoms experienced within the last week. (Reprinted with permission from the EORTC.)

Figure 3 A: QOL after THE in patients with esophageal cancer ≥ 70 years of age. QOL declines sharply for six months and then improves, but the recovery is not durable; B: QOL after THE in patients with esophageal cancer ≤ 55 years of age. QOL declines for six months, but then improves in a more sustained fashion.