146 LEVEL OF DYSPHAGIA AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOLLOWING ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT OF LOW-GRADE DYSPLASIA AND SUPERFICIAL ESOPHAGEAL CANCER

Abstract

Abstract Low-grade dysplasia (LGD) and superficial esophageal cancer (high grade dysplasia, T1a and superficial T1b) can be endoscopically treated according to most international guidelines, including the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy from 2017. The aim was to assess the level of dysphagia and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients who underwent endoscopic treatment. Methods From 2014–2018 all patients with LGD and superficial esophageal cancer were included. The patients underwent endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and/or radiofrequency ablation (RFA). In June 2019 the patients were contacted per mail for assessment of the level of dysphagia and HRQOL, using the Ogilvie score and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core-questionnaire QLQ-C30 together with the disease-specific module QLQ-OG25. Results 59 out of the 86 patients alive (69%) completed the questionnaires after a median follow-up of 28 months (8–65 months). 24% of the patients answering the questionnaires underwent EMR, 31% RFA and 44% both EMR and RFA. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) regarding the level of dysphagia, weight loss, global QoL and emotional status, neither with respect to a non-cancerous reference population nor between the treatment groups. For the other variables in QLQ-C30 and QLQ-OG25, the patients experienced significant lower HRQOL. 12% had minor problems eating solid food (Ogilvie score 1), of whom all underwent EMR. Conclusion The majority of patients endoscopically treated for LGD and superficial esophageal cancer experienced no dysphagia after a median follow-up of 28 months. The patients experienced significant lower HRQOL when being compared to an age-matched non-cancerous reference population. There was no difference regarding the level of dysphagia, weight loss, global QoL and emotional status.