Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38361104›Full record

SynthesisJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2025

Self-care advice for patients after surgery for oesophageal cancer - a mixed-methods systematic review.

Anna Schandl, Kenneth Färnqvist, Kalle Mälberg, Sandra Nielsen, Pernilla Lagergren

Open access · hybridAbstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
1.1field-weighted citation impact, top 25% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 2 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Health-related quality of life in esophageal cancer: a state-of-the-art review of patient-reported outcomes and an evidence and gap map.Diseases of the esophagus : official journal of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus · 2025
    Pooled it
  2. Factors associated with self-care engagement among oesophageal and gastric cancer survivors: a population-based cross-sectional study.Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation · 2026
    Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.

Anna SchandlSurgical Care Science, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Retzius Väg 13A, 4th Floor, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden. anna.schandl@ki.se.
Kenneth FärnqvistSurgical Care Science, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Retzius Väg 13A, 4th Floor, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
Kalle MälbergSurgical Care Science, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Retzius Väg 13A, 4th Floor, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
Sandra NielsenSurgical Care Science, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Retzius Väg 13A, 4th Floor, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
Pernilla LagergrenSurgical Care Science, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Retzius Väg 13A, 4th Floor, 17177, Stockholm, Sweden.
Karolinska Institutet · SEImperial College London · GB

Funding

Cancerfonden 15 0803; 08 0685Cancerfonden 23 0665 FERadiumhemmets Forskningsfonder 141223; 171103; 201173Sjöbergsstiftelsen 4-735/2021)Vetenskapsrådet 521-2012-2824
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThe aim of the literature review was to identify and synthesise research on self-care advice for oesophageal cancer survivors.

methodsA mixed-methods systematic review and synthesis of existing literature on the topic. Five databases were searched for studies providing information on self-care advice for survivorship after oesophageal cancer surgery, in English, with no time filter. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program was used to assess the risk of bias. Data were presented by textual descriptions and grouping of data.

resultsAmong the 13 studies included in the review, five pieces of self-care advice were identified; reconstructing eating habits, bed-head elevation, health-promoting advice, monitoring symptoms and body functions, and involving family and friends. The self-care advice was experienced to be hard work, but worth the effort. They also provided reassurance and an increased understanding of bodily changes and social consequences of the disease and treatment.

conclusionsThere are is little evidence-based self-care advice for oesophageal cancer survivors. However, the existing self-care advice was appreciated and contributed to an increased understanding of the situation. Comprehensible and easy-to-follow recommendations should be provided to all oesophageal cancer survivors. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Evidence-based self-care advice helpful for the individual oesophageal cancer survivor may be imperative to cope with the consequences of oesophagectomy after hospital discharge.

Indexed as

Cancer SurvivorsEsophageal NeoplasmsSelf CareEsophagectomyHumansCancer survivorshipFunctionsSelf-managementSymptoms

Identifiers

PMID38361104
PMCPMC12283782
OpenAlexW4391845248

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.