Payesh
2009; 8: 371-378
Accepted for publication: 1 May 2008
[EPub a head of print-29 September 2009]

Objective(s): This study aimed to assess quality of life in patients with esophagus cancer who did not have esophagectomy surgery in Imam Khomeini hospital in Tehran, Iran.
Methods: 70 patients were interviewed and completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-OES18 questionnares. Data were analyzed by performing ANOVA, Pearson Correlation and independent t-test.
Results: The analysis indicated that cognitive functioning score was the highest and emotional functioning score was the lowest. In addition, there was linear correlation between quality of life and symptoms scores. Also, there was a significant correlation between quality of life scores and type of esophagus cancer. Symptom scores in patients with squamose cell carcinoma (SCC) were higher than patients with adenocarcinoma.
Conclusion: These results represents that patients with esophagus canser need emotional support. In addition patients' symptoms especially in those with SCC should properly be managed.