The Analysis of Surgical Outcomes in Operable Gastric Cancer Patients Presenting With or Without Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia in gastric cancer and its impact on early postoperative outcome

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia, defined as progressive and generalised loss of skeletal muscle mass, quality, and strength, is considered as a poor prognostic factor in cancer. Outcomes in oncology mainly focus on survival related to disease and treatment. Other factors affecting the end result get less attention. This study was conducted with the aim to determine presence of sarcopenia in operable gastric cancer, factors positively correlating with presence of sarcopenia and its impact on early postoperative outcomes.

METHODOLOGY

This is a prospective study conducted from January 2020 to December 2021 in a tertiary care cancer hospital. All patients with adenocarcinoma stomach planned for curative intent surgery were assessed for sarcopenia by measuring hand grip strength(HGS) and skeletal muscle index(SMI). Comparison was made between patient and tumour related factors in patients with and without sarcopenia and impact of sarcopenia on early postoperative outcome was assessed.

RESULTS

74 patients were assessed for sarcopenia. 32 (43.2 %) were patients diagnosed with sarcopenia. Advanced age(p = 0.040), low BMI (p < 0.001), gastric outlet obstruction (p = 0.020) and urgent surgery (p = 0.002) positively correlated with sarcopenia. Curative resection was done in 68(91.89 %) patients and these patients were evaluated for early postoperative outcomes. 18 (26.5 %) patients had complications of Clavien Dindo grade 3 or above. Sarcopenia was not significantly associated with major postoperative complications(p = 0.857).

CONCLUSION

Sarcopenia, though associated with a substantial proportion of patients with gastric cancer, does not significantly affect early postoperative complications in a high volume oncology centre .

Computed tomography-assessed presarcopenia and clinical outcomes after laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer

PURPOSE

Previous studies have reported that presarcopenia negatively affects rectal cancer treatment. However, most studies have analyzed patients including majority of open surgery, and the association between presarcopenia and clinical outcomes after laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of presarcopenia on the clinical and oncological outcomes after laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery.

METHODS

Three hundred and one patients undergoing laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery between December 2009 and May 2016 were enrolled. Body composition was assessed using computed tomography by measuring the muscle and fat areas at the third lumbar (L3) vertebra. The L3 skeletal muscle area was used to calculate the skeletal muscle index and evaluate presarcopenia.

RESULTS

Presarcopenia was more common in older ( ≥ 70 years, P = 0.008) or female patients (P = 0.045). Patients with presarcopenia had decreased skeletal muscle area (P < 0.001), lower hemoglobin level (P = 0.034), longer time to first flatus (P < 0.001), and more frequent surgical site infection (P = 0.001). However, survival rates were not significantly different between those with and without presarcopenia.

CONCLUSION

Computed tomography-assessed presarcopenia was associated with delayed functional recovery and increased surgical site infection, although it was not revealed as a prognostic factor for oncological outcomes.