Baseline measure of health-related quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Esophagus) is associated with overall survival in patients with esophageal cancer

In this multicenter study, baseline QOL was assessed in over 200 patients with stage II or III esophageal cancer who underwent induction therapy and surgery or definitive chemoradiotherapy.  Baseline QOL was related to survival independent of age, stage, histologic type, and treatment.  It is suggested that assessment of baseline QOL is a prognostic tool that can be used in shared decision making.