CompletedNot Applicable

Quality of Life and High-Risk Abdominal Cancer Surgery

Switzerland295 participantsStarted 2020-09-05

Plain-language summary

The investigators plan to measure the changes of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) at 6 months and 12 months after the following high-risk oncological abdominal surgery: gastrectomy, esophagectomy, pancreatectomy and hepatectomy. The investigators will measure the HRQoL using the validated EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire before and at 6 months and 12 month after the surgery. The investigators will identify phenotypes of HRQoL changes (improvement, stability and deterioration) at 6 months and 12 months after surgery. The second aim is to assess the regret of the patient at 6 months and 12 months regarding his/her decision to undergo surgery. The investigators will also assess the regret of the next of kin at 6 months regarding the decision to undergo surgery. This descriptive, prospective, observational, single-centre cohort study aims to: identify phenotypes of HRQoL changes after abdominal surgical oncology (improvement, stability and deterioration); assess the regret of patients regarding their decision to undergo surgical oncology at 6 months and 12 months; assess the regret of the next of kin regarding the decision of the patient to undergo surgical oncology at 6 months and 12 months. The investigators will include patients scheduled for the following elective abdominal cancer surgery: gastrectomy; esophagectomy; pancreas resection and hepatectomy. The investigators will assess HRQoL using the validated EORTC QLQ-C30 Summary Score before and 6 months and 12 months after surgery. The cut-offs for the three phenotypes of HRQoL changes will be defined using the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 10 points. The investigators will assess regret using the Decision Regret Scale (DRS) at 6 months and 12 months after surgery. The expected results are: The investigators can identify phenotypes of HRQoL changes after surgical oncology using the EORTC QLQ-C30 Summary Score; the investigators will describe the distribution of these phenotypes and will find an association with the pre-existing frailty. The investigators can describe the extent of the regret of the patient and of the next of kin at 6 months using the DRS. The investigators will observe an association between the DRS score at 6 months and the HRQoL Summary Score change. The investigators will not observe a relationship between the DRS score of patients and next-of-kins.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: \- Adult patients (\>18 years) scheduled for the following elective abdominal cancer surgery known for high one-year mortality4: gastrectomy; esophagectomy; pancreas resection and hepatectomy Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with inoperable tumours; i.e. some patients will be excluded at the time of surgery if unexpected advanced tumour staging is confirmed intraoperatively (e.g. peritoneal carcinomatosis or any other diagnosis without therapy). * Hepatectomy for metastasectomy * Mentally impaired patients (known diagnosis) * Psychotic diagnoses (i.e. schizophrenia) * Dementia (mini mental score (MMSE) \< 18) * Incapacity to understand the information sheet * Blindness (unable to perform the visual part of the mini-mental state examination)

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Health-related Quality of Life

Timeframe: 6 months after surgery

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04444544

SponsorUniversity Hospital, Geneva

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2024-12-08

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