Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) approaches are increasingly used in lung cancer surgery, but little is known about their impact on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQL). This prospective study measured recovery and HRQL in the year after VATS for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and explored the feasibility of HRQL data collection in patients undergoing VATS or open lung resection.
Patients and methods: Consecutive patients referred for surgical assessment (VATS or open surgery) for proven/suspected NSCLC completed HRQL and fatigue assessments before and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-surgery. Mean HRQL scores were calculated for patients who underwent VATS (segmental, wedge or lobectomy resection). Paired t-tests compared mean HRQL between baseline and expected worst (1 month), early (3 months) and longer-term (12 months) recovery time points.
Results: A total of 92 patients received VATS, and 18 open surgery. Questionnaire response rates were high (pre-surgery 96-100%; follow-up 67-85%). Pre-surgery, VATS patients reported mostly high (good) functional health scores [(European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) EORTC function scores > 80] and low (mild) symptom scores (EORTC symptom scores < 20). One-month post-surgery, patients reported clinically and statistically significant deterioration in overall health and physical, role and social function (19-36 points), and increased fatigue, pain, dyspnoea, appetite loss and constipation [EORTC 12-26; multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI-20) 3-5]. HRQL had not fully recovered 12 months post-surgery, with reduced physical, role and social function (10-14) and persistent fatigue and dyspnoea (EORTC 12-22; MFI-20 2.7-3.2).
Conclusions: Lung resection has a considerable detrimental impact on patients' HRQL that is not fully resolved 12 months post-surgery, despite a VATS approach.