Senior researcher Pauline Vissers of the IKNL will be conducting research into the complaints that occur after people have been treated for oesophageal cancer. She wants to develop a predictive model so that these complaints can be quickly detected and treated.
From swallowing problems to intestinal complaints
‘Previous research has shown that many patients with oesophageal cancer suffer from permanent gastrointestinal complaints after treatment. Often there are several complaints at the same time, such as swallowing problems, pain, constipation and diarrhoea. As you can imagine, this has a major impact on quality of life. In our research, we want to develop a predictive model that will allow at-risk patients to be detected more quickly. Doctors can then ask about these symptoms at an early stage and treat them more quickly. Hopefully, this will prevent a lot of suffering.’
A lot of data
‘The IKNL is an independent knowledge institute. It manages the national registry of all people with cancer in the Netherlands. In my research I will use the data of 5000 patients with oesophageal cancer. These patients have filled in questionnaires at various times about their quality of life and symptoms. Data such as the size of the tumour, the details of the treatment and any complications will be obtained from the national cancer registry and the quality registry for oesophageal cancer surgery. By combining all this data, we will soon have a good picture of the patient's characteristics and the gastrointestinal complaints that occur after treatment. This will enable us to create a model that can be used to make predictions.’
Early detection
‘With this prediction model, patients at high risk of long-term complaints will soon be detected in time. The prediction can also be taken into account when choosing the form of treatment. The sooner these complaints are recognised, the sooner a solution can be sought. It does mean that this prediction model must actually be used as a tool by medical specialists in practice. That will be the second part of this study: how can we ensure that doctors actually apply this model?
Patient association
‘I hear from patient associations that these gastrointestinal complaints have the greatest impact on life after treatment. It really is a problem. If we can use this model to improve this problem, then my research will have been a success. I am therefore very much looking forward to getting started!’