Outcomes After Esophagectomy With a Focus on Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy and Quality of Life

April 9, 2026 updated by: James Luketich, University of Pittsburgh
To assess short and long term outcomes after minimally invasive esophagectomy compared to open esophagectomy. To compare both standard outcome measures as well as patient derived outcome measures, in particular, quality of life (QOL). To look at the applicability of this QOL instrument to this patient group.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Assess short and long term outcomes after minimally invasive esophagectomy(MIE) compared to open esophagectomy. Measure standard observer derived outcomes such as morbidity, mortality, tumor recurrence and also patient derived outcomes, in particular quality of life (QOL) using the MOS SF36 questionnaire. Evaluate whether the SF36 will accurately reflect pre and postoperative changes in clinical status in this patient group.Compare the results of this global QOL instrument (SF 36) to disease specific scales of dysphagia and reflux. Assess the impact of adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy on QOL in this patient group and determine if any advantages of MIE can be demonstrated.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

3500

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

  • Name: Julie A Ward, BSN
  • Phone Number: 412-647-8583
  • Email: wardj@upmc.edu

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Pennsylvania
      • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15232
        • Recruiting
        • UPMC - Hillman Cancer Center
        • Contact:
      • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213
        • Recruiting
        • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center - Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Arjun Pennathur, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Matthew Schuchert, MD
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • James D. Luketich, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Neil A. Christie, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Ryan Levy, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Omar Awais, DO
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Kevin McGrath, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Tadeusz Witek, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Navid Ajabshir, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Evan Alicuben, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Renee Levesque, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Christian Otero, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • James Ackerman, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Thomas Melvin, MD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients seeking surgical resection of their esophagus at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients scheduled for MIE (Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy)
  • Patients scheduled for open esophagectomy
  • Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients who are unable to comprehend or complete the QOL instruments.
  • Patients less than 18 years of age.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Case-Only
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change from baseline in SF36 Quality of Life Questionnaire at 4 month postoperative
Time Frame: Baseline and 4 month postoperative
The SF36 is an eight dimension Quality of Life Measurement. It provides two main Component scores, Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS). It includes 8 scales or sub-scores: Physical function (PF), role physical (RP), Bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), role emotional (RE), and mental health (MG). Each scale contributes a different amount to the component scores, which are calculated by a special algorithm that is licensed by Optum. The Component and sub-scales have a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 100. The higher the score represent the higher quality of life/less disability.
Baseline and 4 month postoperative
Change from baseline in SF36 Quality of Life Questionnaire at 6 month postoperative
Time Frame: Baseline and 6 month postoperative
The SF36 is an eight dimension Quality of Life Measurement. It provides two main Component scores, Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS). It includes 8 scales or sub-scores: Physical function (PF), role physical (RP), Bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), role emotional (RE), and mental health (MG). Each scale contributes a different amount to the component scores, which are calculated by a special algorithm that is licensed by Optum. The Component and sub-scales have a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 100. The higher the score represent the higher quality of life/less disability.
Baseline and 6 month postoperative
Change from baseline in SF36 Quality of Life Questionnaire at 12 month postoperative
Time Frame: Baseline and 12 month postoperative
The SF36 is an eight dimension Quality of Life Measurement. It provides two main Component scores, Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS). It includes 8 scales or sub-scores: Physical function (PF), role physical (RP), Bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), role emotional (RE), and mental health (MG). Each scale contributes a different amount to the component scores, which are calculated by a special algorithm that is licensed by Optum. The Component and sub-scales have a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 100. The higher the score represent the higher quality of life/less disability.
Baseline and 12 month postoperative
Change from baseline in SF36 Quality of Life Questionnaire at 18 month
Time Frame: Baseline and 18 month postoperative
The SF36 is an eight dimension Quality of Life Measurement. It provides two main Component scores, Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS). It includes 8 scales or sub-scores: Physical function (PF), role physical (RP), Bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), role emotional (RE), and mental health (MG). Each scale contributes a different amount to the component scores, which are calculated by a special algorithm that is licensed by Optum. The Component and sub-scales have a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 100. The higher the score represent the higher quality of life/less disability.
Baseline and 18 month postoperative
Change from baseline in SF36 Quality of Life Questionnaire at 24 month
Time Frame: Baseline and 24 month postoperative
The SF36 is an eight dimension Quality of Life Measurement. It provides two main Component scores, Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS). It includes 8 scales or sub-scores: Physical function (PF), role physical (RP), Bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), role emotional (RE), and mental health (MG). Each scale contributes a different amount to the component scores, which are calculated by a special algorithm that is licensed by Optum. The Component and sub-scales have a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 100. The higher the score represent the higher quality of life/less disability.
Baseline and 24 month postoperative
Change from baseline in SF36 Quality of Life Questionnaire at 30 month
Time Frame: Baseline and 30 month postoperative
The SF36 is an eight dimension Quality of Life Measurement. It provides two main Component scores, Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS). It includes 8 scales or sub-scores: Physical function (PF), role physical (RP), Bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), role emotional (RE), and mental health (MG). Each scale contributes a different amount to the component scores, which are calculated by a special algorithm that is licensed by Optum. The Component and sub-scales have a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 100. The higher the score represent the higher quality of life/less disability.
Baseline and 30 month postoperative
Change from baseline in SF36 Quality of Life Questionnaire at 36 month
Time Frame: Baseline and 36 month postoperative
The SF36 is an eight dimension Quality of Life Measurement. It provides two main Component scores, Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS). It includes 8 scales or sub-scores: Physical function (PF), role physical (RP), Bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), role emotional (RE), and mental health (MG). Each scale contributes a different amount to the component scores, which are calculated by a special algorithm that is licensed by Optum. The Component and sub-scales have a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 100. The higher the score represent the higher quality of life/less disability.
Baseline and 36 month postoperative

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Pittsburgh

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: James D Luketich, MD, UPMC - Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

May 1, 1999

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2050

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2050

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 28, 2005

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 28, 2005

First Posted (Estimated)

December 1, 2005

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 14, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 9, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • STUDY20040382

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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