Abstract: Objective: Mixed methods research was used to analyze the common symptoms of patients with esophageal cancer postoperatively and some associated factors. Methods: A mixed method study was done utilizing qualitative and quantitative data. Semi-structured interview for symptoms was performed with 20 patients with esophageal cancer after operation. The symptoms experience model was used as theoretical framework for questionnaire and 114 cases with esophageal cancer after operation were selected for survey of symptoms frequency and intensity and harassment. Results: The quantitative study showed the incidence of all 11 symptom was more than 50% including thirsty, phlegm and cough. The 5 symptoms arranged thirsty, fatigue, cough, angular and phlegm according to frequency. The 5 symptoms arranged thirsty, difficult sputum, cough, fatigue and phlegm according to severity, and thirsty, difficult sputum, cough, phlegm and fatigue according to harassment. Cough had higher incidence in the patients with small cell lung cancer based on pathological examination. Da Vinci surgical procedure was superior to the thoracoscope surgery with hoarse and insomnia less severe and hoarse less harassment (P<0.05). The patients with middle esophageal cancer had cough and fatigue of more frequency and phlegm more severe (P<0.05). Qualitative study showed the patients had several symptoms and complaint unclear. Conclusions: The esophageal cancer patients experienced a variety of symptoms after surgery. Precise surgery can reduce some symptom severity.

Key words: Esophageal cancer, Symptoms, Mixed methods research