The survival rates of patients with oesophageal and gastric cancers have improved. However, many survivors continue to experience long- term symptoms. On May 29, Kenneth Färnqvist will defend his thesis "The architecture of survivorship : patterns of quality of life, symptom dynamics, and self- care in oesophageal and gastric cancer" in which he has investigated how quality of life, symptoms, and self-care develop over time.
"My thesis focuses on long-term survivorship after oesophageal and gastric cancer, particularly on quality of life, persistent symptoms, and how patients manage their health through self-care," says Kenneth Färnqvist , doctoral student at the Surgical Care Science group at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery , Karolinska Institutet.
Which are the most important results?
"I show that while many patients recover well, a substantial subgroup experience long-term symptoms and reduced quality of life years after treatment. I also identify distinct recovery patterns and patient groups at higher risk of deterioration, and describe the self-care strategies patients use."
How can this new knowledge contribute to the improvement of people's health?
The findings can help healthcare providers identify patients in need of additional support earlier, tailor follow-up more effectively, and provide more relevant self-care guidance - ultimately improving quality of life and reducing unnecessary suffering."
What are your future ambitions?
"I want to continue with research and would like to contribute to ensuring that research is conducted in the best, most reliable, and transparent way possible. That's why I want to engage in the type of research that can make this possible, namely, metaresearch."
Dissertation
Friday May 29, 2026 at 10:00, Samuelssonsalen, Tomtebodavägen 6
Thesis
Färnqvist, Kenneth (2026). The architecture of survivorship : patterns of quality of life, symptom dynamics, and self- care in oesophageal and gastric cancer. Karolinska Institutet. Thesis. https://doi.org/10.69622/31262899.v1
