Analysis of Factors Associated with Weight Loss After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer

Aim: To investigate the factors associated with weight loss (WL) after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 136 patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Preoperative characteristics, surgical methods, postoperative outcomes and weight changes at 6 months after surgery were analyzed. Results: Seventy-eight patients had more than 10% WL compared to their weight at surgery. On univariate analysis, higher body mass index [(BMI): >= 20.8; p=0.012] and shorter length of hospitalization [(LOH); p=0.041] demonstrated an association with more than 10% WL. On multivariate analysis, higher BMI [odds ratio (OR)=2.821; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.238-6.426; p=0.014] and shorter LOH (OR=2.953; 95% CI=1.009-8.646; p=0.048) were independently associated with more than 10% WL. Conclusion: Higher BMI and shorter LOH were unfavorable risk factors for WL after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.