Introduction
The incidence of esophageal cancer in China ranks first in the
world and continues to increase annually [1]. Importantly,
survival of cancer patients has significantly improved with
advances in medical science [2], and quality of life during
the survival period has become an area of increasing
research focus [3—5]. Cancer patients with higher quality
of life have better prognosis and longer survival [6]. However,
quality of life is a multi-dimensional concept related
to a variety of factors. Healthy quality of life means that
the individual has healthy physical, psychological, and social
functioning during their survival period [7]. As an abstract concept, quality of life should be assessed by the patients
themselves [8] and can influence the clinical treatment for
esophageal cancer [9—11].
Personality is the composite of an individuals’ psychological
characteristics and is the intrinsic behavior pattern
of daily interpersonal interactions [12]. Personality characteristics
have been reported to be closely related with
the occurrence and development of cancer [13]. Indeed,
personality characteristics and psychological types affect
physiology and disease pathology [14—16]. However, no
study has focused on the relationship between personality
characteristics and quality of life in patients with
esophageal cancer.
In addition to physical harm, cancer causes anxiety,
depression, and many other psychological problems [17].
Once aware of their disease, cancer patients will suffer
from psychological pressures in varying degrees that can
negatively affect their prognosis [18]. Thus, in addition
to treatment, psychological care is also extremely important
to clinical outcome; indeed, improving mental health
can improve outcomes [19]. Clinical evaluations of cancer
patients’ subjective experiences are becoming standard of
care.