Does sarcopenia affect postoperative short- and long-term outcomes in patients with lung cancer?-a systematic review and meta-analysis

Early Postoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes of Sarcopenia Versus Nonsarcopenia in Patients Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

To compare early postoperative patient-reported outcomes between sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer.

METHODS

The data used in this study were acquired from a longitudinal prospective study (CN-PRO-Lung 1) between November 2017 and January 2020. Skeletal muscle index was measured at L3 vertebral level on preoperative computed tomography to identify sarcopenia based on an established threshold. Symptoms severity and status of functional impairments were reported as proportions of patients with clinically relevant moderate-to-severe scores on 0-10 scales, which were measured by using the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Lung Cancer at baseline, daily postoperative hospitalization, and weekly after discharge up to 4 weeks. Symptom severity, functional status, and postoperative clinical outcomes were compared between the sarcopenia and nonsarcopenia groups.

RESULTS

This study included 125 patients undergoing VATS for lung cancer. Sarcopenia was identified in 34 (27.2%) patients. Sarcopenic patients reported more moderate-to-severe pain (P = 0.002) at discharge and more moderate-to-severe fatigue (P = 0.027) during the 4 weeks after discharge. Besides, sarcopenic patients had a longer recovery time from both pain (P = 0.002) and fatigue (P = 0.007) than nonsarcopenic patients. Meanwhile, no significant between-group difference was found in the postoperative clinical outcomes (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenic patients undergoing VATS for lung cancer may have more pain and fatigue, as well as longer symptoms recovery time than nonsarcopenic patients during the early postoperative period.

Myostatin expression in lung cancer induces sarcopenia and promotes cancer progression

OBJECTIVES

Many studies have demonstrated that sarcopenia among lung cancer predicts poor prognosis due to cancer progression. However, the cytokines that link sarcopenia and lung cancer progression remain unidentified. This study aimed to investigate whether lung cancer producing myostatin, which induces skeletal muscle atrophy, leads to sarcopenia and promotes cancer progression in patients with resected lung cancer.

METHODS

Tumor tissues were obtained from 148 patients who underwent curative resection for lung cancer. Tumor cells were stained with myostatin and tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) in the tumor microenvironment were stained with CD68. We assessed the association between myostatin expression and the clinicopathological features.

RESULTS

High myostatin expression in lung cancer was significantly associated with low skeletal muscle mass. The 5-year overall survival and relapse-free survival were significantly worse among patients with high myostatin expression than those with low expression. A multivariate analysis showed that TAM count was positively correlated with high myostatin expression.

CONCLUSION

Sarcopenia may be induced by myostatin secreted by lung cancer cells. Moreover, myostatin may promote TAM migration into the tumor microenvironment, leading to advance lung cancer. As a result, patients with high myostatin expression had poor prognosis.

Significance of Comprehensive Analysis of Preoperative Sarcopenia Based on Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, and Physical Function for the Prognosis of Patients with Esophageal Cancer

BACKGROUND

The assessment of muscle mass loss, muscle strength, and physical function has been recommended in diagnosing sarcopenia. However, only muscle mass has been assessed in previous studies. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of comprehensively diagnosed preoperative sarcopenia on the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer.

METHODS

The study analyzed 115 patients with esophageal cancer (age ≥ 65 years) who underwent curative esophagectomy. Preoperative sarcopenia was analyzed using the skeletal mass index (SMI), handgrip strength, and gait speed based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria. Clinicopathologic factors, incidence of postoperative complications, and overall survival (OS) were compared between the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups. The significance of the three individual parameters also was evaluated.

RESULTS

The evaluation identified 47 (40.9%) patients with low SMI, 31 (27.0%) patients with low handgrip strength, and 6 (5.2%) patients with slow gait speed. Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 23 patients (20%) and associated with older age and advanced pT stage. The incidence of postoperative complications did not differ significantly between the two groups. Among the three parameters, only slow gait speed was associated with Clavien-Dindo grade 2 or greater complications. The sarcopenia group showed significantly worse OS than the non-sarcopenia group. Those with low handgrip strength tended to have worse OS, and those with slow gait speed had significantly worse OS than their counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative sarcopenia diagnosed using skeletal muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function may have an impact on the survival of patients with esophageal cancer.

The Best Supportive Care in Stage III Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a major cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents most lung cancer cases, and approximately one-third of patients present with stage III disease at diagnosis. As multiple treatment plans can be adopted for these patients depending on tumor size and nodal staging, stage III NSCLC management is challenging. Over the past decades, multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) have been implemented in healthcare services to coordinate actions among the different health care professionals involved in cancer care. The aim of this review was to discuss real-world evidence of the impact of MDTs on stage III NSCLC management, survival, and quality of life. Here, we performed a literature review to investigate the role of nutrition and navigational nursing in NSCLC care and the influence of MDTs in the choice of treatment plans, including immunotherapy consolidation, and in the management of chemotherapy and radiotherapy-related adverse events. We also performed a mapping review to identify gaps in the implementation of cancer care MDTs in healthcare services around the world.

Exploring the implications of modified advanced lung cancer inflammation index on outcomes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Aim

Sarcopenia and skeletal muscle density (SMD) have been shown to be both predictive and prognostic marker in oncology. Advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) has been shown to predict overall survival (OS) in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Computed tomography (CT) enables skeletal muscle to be quantified, whereas body mass index (BMI) cannot accurately reflect body composition. The purpose was to evaluate the prognostic value of modified ALI (mALI) using CT-determined third lumbar vertebra (L3) muscle index beyond original ALI and see the interaction between sarcopenia, SMD, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), ALI and mALI at baseline and post 4 cycles of chemotherapy and their effects on OS and progress free survival (PFS) in patients with advanced non-SCLC (NSCLC).

Methods

This retrospective study consisted of a total of 285 advanced NSCLC patients. The morphometric parameters such as SMD, skeletal muscle index (SMI) and fat-free mass (FFM) were measured by CT at the L3 vertebra. ALI was defined as BMI × serum albumin/NLR and mALI was defined as SMI × serum albumin/NLR.

Results

Sarcopenia was observed in over 70% of patients across all BMI categories. Patients having sarcopenia suffered from a higher incidence of chemotherapeutic drug toxicities but this was not found to be statistically significant. Concordance was seen between ALI and mALI in the pre-treatment setting and this was statistically significant. A significant proportion of patients with poor ALI (90.9%), poor pre-chemotherapy mALI (91.3%) and poor post-chemotherapy mALI (89%) had poor NLR and each of them was statistically significant.

Conclusions

In both univariate and multivariate analyses, this study demonstrated the statistical significance of sarcopenia, SMD, and mALI as predictive factors for OS. Additionally, sarcopenia and SMD were also found to be statistically significant factors in predicting PFS. These biomarkers could potentially help triage patients for active nutritional intervention for better outcomes.

Skeletal muscle index is associated with long term outcomes after lobectomy for non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Skeletal muscle indices have been associated with improved peri-operative outcomes after surgical resection of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, it is unclear if these indices can predict long term cancer specific outcomes.

METHODS

NSCLC patients undergoing lobectomy at our institute between 2009-2015 were included in this analysis (N = 492). Preoperative CT scans were used to quantify skeletal muscle index (SMI) at L4 using sliceOmatic software. Cox proportional modelling was performed for overall (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS).

RESULTS

For all patients, median SMI was 45.7 cm2/m2 (IQR, 40-53.8). SMI was negatively associated with age (R = -0.2; p < 0.05) and positively associated with BMI (R = 0.46; P < 0.05). No association with either OS or RFS was seen with univariate cox modelling. However, multivariable modelling for SMI with patient age, gender, race, smoking status, DLCO and FEV1 (% predicted), American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score, tumor histology and stage, and postoperative neoadjuvant therapy showed improved OS (HR = 0.97; P = 0.0005) and RFS (HR = 0.97; P = 0.01) with SMI. Using sex specific median SMI as cutoff, a lower SMI was associated with poor OS (HR = 1.65, P = 0.001) and RFS (HR = 1.47, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

SMI is associated with improved outcomes after resection of NSCLC. Further studies are needed to understand the biological basis of this observation. This study provides additional rationale for designing and implementation of rehabilitation trials after surgical resection, to gain durable oncologic benefit.

Analytic Morphomics in Myositis-Related Interstitial Lung Disease

PURPOSE

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most common non-musculoskeletal manifestation of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). Identification of body composition change may enable early intervention to improve prognosis. We investigated muscle quantity and quality derived from cross-sectional imaging in IIM, and its relationship to ILD severity.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study assessing IIM of ILD patients (n = 31) was conducted. Two datasets separated in time were collected, containing demographics, biochemical data, pulmonary function testing and thoracic CT data. Morphomic analysis of muscle quantity (cross-sectional area) and quality (density in Hounsfield Units) on thoracic CT were analysed utilising a web-based tool allowing segmentation of muscle and fat. Bilateral erector spinae and pectoralis muscle (ESM&PM) were measured at defined vertebral levels.

RESULTS

FVC and DLCO decreased but within acceptable limits of treatment response (FVC: 83.7-78.7%, p < 0.05, DLCO 63.4-60.6%, p < 0.05). The cross-sectional area of the PM and ESM increased (PM: 39.8 to 40.7 cm2, p = 0.491; ESM: 35.2 to 39.5 cm2, p = 0.098). Density significantly fell for both the PM and ESM (PM: 35.3-31 HU, p < 0.05; ESM: 38-33.7, p < 0.05). Subcutaneous fat area increased from 103.9 to 136.1 cm2 (p < 0.05), while the visceral fat area increased but not reaching statistical significance. The change in PM density between time points demonstrated an inverse correlation with DLCO (p < 0.05, R =  - 0.49).

CONCLUSION

Patients with IIM ILD demonstrated significant body composition changes on CT imaging unlikely to be detected by traditional measurement tools. An increase in muscle area with an inverse decrease in density suggests poor muscle quality.

Sarcopenia in Lung Cancer: A Narrative Review

It has been over 10 years since the relationship between sarcopenia and lung cancer was first explored. Since then, sarcopenia research has progressed substantially, and the prognostic value of this condition is becoming increasingly apparent. Prior systematic reviews and meta-analyses have established sarcopenia to be negatively associated with disease-free and overall-survival, as well as a major risk factor for post-operative complications. The bulk of the literature has explored sarcopenia in the resectable setting, with less emphasis placed on studies evaluating this condition in advanced disease. In this up-to-date review, an examination of the literature exploring the association between sarcopenia and long-term outcomes in advanced lung cancer is provided. We further explore the association between adverse events of medical therapy and the role of sarcopenia as a predictor of tumor response. Finally, the interventions on sarcopenia and cancer cachexia are reviewed, with an emphasis placed on prospective studies.

Prevalence of Four Sarcopenia Criteria in Older Patients with Cancer, and Their Predictive Value for 6-Month Mortality: The NutriAgeCancer National Prospective Cohort Study

Older cancer patients have an elevated risk of sarcopenia. The aim was to estimate the prevalence of four criteria for sarcopenia case finding, assessment, diagnosis, and severity determination: abnormal strength, assistance with walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, and falls (SARC-F), low hand-grip strength (HGS), low arm circumference (AC, a muscle mass proxy), and low physical performance (PP). Sarcopenia (low HGS and AC) and severe sarcopenia (low HGS, AC, and PP) and their predictive values for 6-month mortality were estimated in the whole population and by metastatic status. We analyzed data from the NutriAgeCancer French nationwide study of cancer patients aged ≥70 referred for geriatric assessment before anti-cancer treatment. We performed Cox proportional hazards analysis for each criterion separately and all criteria combined. Overall, 781 patients from 41 geriatric oncology clinics were included (mean age: 83.1; females: 53%; main cancer types: digestive (29%) and breast (17%); metastases: 42%). The prevalence of abnormal SARC-F, low HGS, a low AC, low PP, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia were, respectively, 35.5%, 44.6%, 44.7%, 35.2%, 24.5%, and 11.7%. An abnormal SARC-F and/or low HGS, sarcopenia, and severe sarcopenia were associated with 6-month mortality in patients with metastases (adjusted hazard ratios [95% confidence interval]: 2.72 [1.34-5.49], 3.16 [1.48-6.75] and 6.41 [2.5-16.5], respectively). Sarcopenia was strongly predictive of 6-month mortality in patients with metastatic cancer.

Systemic inflammation with sarcopenia predicts survival in patients with gastric cancer

OBJECTIVE

The levels of platelet-related inflammation indicators and sarcopenia have been reported to affect the survival of patients with cancer. To evaluate the prognostic influence of platelet count (PLT), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune inflammation index (SII), and SII combined with sarcopenia on the survival of patients with gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

A total of 1133 patients with GC (812 male and 321 female, average age: 59.43 years) were evaluated. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were used to determine the best cutoff values of PLT, PLR, and SII, and univariate and multivariate Cox risk regression models were used to evaluate whether SII is an independent predictor of overall survival (OS). The prognostic SS (SII-sarcopenia) was established based on SII and sarcopenia. Finally, a comprehensive analysis of the prognostic SS was performed.

RESULTS

SII had the strongest prognostic effect. The SII and OS of patients with GC were in an inverted U-shape (adjusted HR = 1.07; 95% CI 0.97-1.19; adjusted P = 0.179). In patients with SII > 1800, SII was negatively correlated with OS (adjusted HR = 0.57; 95% CI 0.29-1.12; adjusted P = 0.102), however, there is no statistical difference. Interestingly, a high SS was associated with a poorer prognosis. The higher the SS score was, the worse the OS (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

SII is an independent prognostic indicator of GC, and high SII is related to poor prognosis. A higher SS score had worse survival. Thus, the prognostic SS is a reliable predictor of OS in patients with GC.

Sarcopenia of kidney transplant recipients as a predictive marker for reduced graft function and graft survival after kidney transplantation

PURPOSE

The association between sarcopenia of kidney transplant recipients and outcome after kidney transplantation (KT) has not yet been fully understood and is still considered controversial. The aim of our study was to analyze the impact of pre-transplant sarcopenia on graft function, postoperative complication rates, and survival of the patients after renal transplantation.

METHODS

In this retrospective single-center study, all patients who underwent KT (01/2013-12/2017) were included. Demographic data, rejection rates, delayed graft function, and graft and patient survival rates were analyzed. Sarcopenia was measured in computed tomography images by the sex-adjusted Hounsfield unit average calculation (HUAC).

RESULTS

During the study period, 111 single KTs (38 women and 73 men) were performed. Living donor kidney transplants were performed in 48.6%. In total, 32.4% patients had sarcopenia. Sarcopenic patients were significantly older (59.6 years vs. 49.8 years; p < 0.001), had a higher body mass index (BMI = 27.6 kg/m2 vs. 25.0 kg/m2; p = 0.002), and were more likely to receive deceased donor kidneys (72.2% vs. 41.3%; p = 0.002). Interestingly, 3 years after KT, the creatinine serum levels were significantly higher (2.0 mg/dl vs. 1.5 mg/dl; p = 0.001), whereas eGFR (39.9 ml/min vs. 53.4 ml/min; p = 0.001) and graft survival were significantly lower (p = 0.004) in sarcopenic transplant recipients. Sarcopenic patients stayed in hospital significantly longer postoperatively than those who were non-sarcopenic.

CONCLUSIONS

At the time of kidney transplantation, sarcopenia was found to predict reduced long-term graft function and diminished graft survival after KT. The early identification of sarcopenic patients can not only enable an optimized selection of recipients, but also the initiation of pre-habilitation programs during the waiting period.

Sarcopenia and loss of muscle mass in patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

In patients with cancer, sarcopenia is associated with treatment related complications, treatment cessation, poor quality of life and reduced overall survival. Despite this, there is limited knowledge about changes in skeletal muscle mass during chemotherapy. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the change of skeletal muscle mass and sarcopenia during chemotherapy treatment among patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in three databases, PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. Observational studies with patients with lung cancer were eligible for inclusion if skeletal muscle mass was measured before and after receiving chemotherapy treatment.

RESULTS

Ten cohort studies with a total of 867 participants met the inclusion criteria. During 5.2 ± 2.9 months of chemotherapy treatment, patients with lung cancer experienced a significant loss of skeletal muscle mass with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of: -0.25 (95% CI -0.47 to -0.03). The pretreatment prevalence of sarcopenia varied across studies from 35% to 74%. Only one study reported prevalence of sarcopenia both before and after chemotherapy treatment with an increase from 35% to 59%.

CONCLUSION

The present data demonstrate a marked loss of skeletal muscle mass in patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy treatment, as well as a high prevalence of sarcopenia. As sarcopenia is associated with poor clinical outcomes, it seems important to include and use assessments of skeletal muscle mass in clinical practice to identify patients in need for interventions. Moreover, interventional studies to hinder development of sarcopenia are needed.

Skeletal muscle area predicts the outcomes of non-small-cell lung cancer after trimodality therapy

OBJECTIVES

Sarcopenia correlates with poor prognosis in various malignancies. However, the prognostic significance of sarcopenia remains to be determined in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer who undergo surgery after receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the patients with stage II/III non-small-cell lung cancer who underwent surgery following NACRT. The paravertebral skeletal muscle area (SMA) (cm2) at the 12th thoracic vertebra level was measured. We calculated the SMA index (SMAI) as SMA/squared height (cm2/m2). Patients were divided into low and high SMAI groups, and the association of SMAI with clinicopathological factors and prognosis was assessed.

RESULTS

The patients' [men, 86 (81.1%)] median age was 63 (21-76) years. There were 106 patients including 2 (1.9%), 10 (9.4%), 74 (69.8%), 19 (17.9%) and 1 (0.9%) patients with stage IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB and IIIC, respectively. Of the patients, 39 (36.8%) and 67 (63.2%) were classified in the low and the high SMAI groups, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the low group had a significantly shorter overall survival and disease-free survival than the high group. Multivariable analysis identified low SMAI as an independent poor prognostic factor for overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-NACRT SMAI correlates with poor prognosis; therefore, assessing sarcopenia based on pre-NACRT SMAI may help determine optimal treatment strategies and suitable nutritional and exercise interventions.

Impact of sarcopenia on the prognosis and treatment of lung cancer: an umbrella review

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Sarcopenia, defined as the loss of muscle mass and function, is known to cause adverse health outcomes. The purpose of this umbrella review was to integrate published systematic reviews and meta-analyses exploring sarcopenia and lung cancer to provide comprehensive knowledge on their relationship.

METHODS

Eligible studies were searched from scientific databases until June 28, 2022. Critical appraisal was performed using A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) 2. The impact of sarcopenia on the pathophysiology, prevalence, and prognosis of lung cancer is summarized at the level of systematic reviews or meta-analyses.

RESULTS

Fourteen reviews and meta-analyses were conducted. The methodological quality was high for one review, low for nine, and critically low for four. The most common standard for diagnosing sarcopenia in the lung cancer population is computed tomography (CT) to measure the skeletal muscle index at the third lumbar vertebra (L3). Sarcopenia was highly prevalent among patients with lung cancer, with a pooled prevalence ranging from 42.8% to 45.0%. The association between sarcopenia and increased postoperative complications and decreased disease control rates with immune checkpoint inhibitors has been demonstrated. Mortality was significantly higher in sarcopenic patients than in non-sarcopenic patients with lung cancer, regardless of the stage of disease or type of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia is a poor prognostic factor for lung cancer. Future studies are necessary to clarify the pathophysiology of sarcopenia and develop effective interventions for sarcopenia in patients with lung cancer.

Associations between muscle mass/strength and healthcare costs/use for patients with cancer: A systematic literature review

PURPOSE

To review published scientific evidence evaluating the potential associations between muscle mass/strength and healthcare use/costs for patients with cancer.

METHODS

In accordance with the predefined protocol for a systematic literature review, studies assessing potential associations between muscle mass/strength and healthcare costs/use in cancer patients were searched on MEDLINE (via Ovid) and on the NHS Economic Evaluation Database in September 2021. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers.

RESULTS

Of 613 studies identified, five met our inclusion criteria. Various outcomes were investigated: for length of hospital stay, one out of three studies reported an association between lower muscle mass and longer hospital stay; for hospital admission, the two identified studies did not highlight muscle weakness as a predictor of hospital admission; for hospital readmission, one out of two studies reported that patients with lower muscle mass had higher rates of hospital readmission; for costs and cost-effectiveness, results of two randomized controlled trials were mixed, with total costs of the intervention higher in one study and lower in the other, leading to opposite cost-effectiveness results.

CONCLUSION

Only five studies evaluating potential associations between mass/strength and healthcare use/costs have been highlighted within this systematic review. The amount of evidence is limited but the studies are also very heterogeneous in regards of study designs, sample size, and type of population included. This important heterogeneity prevents drawing strong conclusions. Because of limited data available, more high quality longitudinal studies are needed to further investigate the relationship between muscle mass/strength and healthcare costs/use.

Current Insights in Nutrition Assessment and Intervention for Malnutrition or Muscle Loss in People with Lung Cancer: A Narrative Review

Up to 70% of people with lung cancer may be affected by cancer-related malnutrition or muscle loss, depending on treatment modality and disease stage. This narrative review explores recent studies on malnutrition and muscle loss as well as nutritional and multimodal interventions to treat these conditions in the context of the changing treatment landscape in lung cancer. Various types of interventions, including individualized counseling, protein and other specific nutrient supplementation, as well as multimodal interventions to treat malnutrition and muscle loss, have been investigated. Overall, individualized dietary counseling, increasing protein intake, and supplementation with omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids appear to be beneficial for some, albeit varying, patient outcomes. Multimodal interventions, generally including a nutrition and exercise component, show promising results; however, the impact on patient outcomes is mixed. A key finding of this review is a lack of large, randomized trials to guide nutrition intervention specifically in people with lung cancer. Despite the high prevalence of malnutrition and muscle loss in people with lung cancer and the known adverse outcomes, current evidence for nutrition intervention is limited. A targeted effort is required to improve the quality of evidence for nutrition intervention in this population to provide support for clinicians to deliver effective nutrition care.

Sarcopenia Predicts Relevant Clinical Outcomes in Biliary Tract Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to analyze the influences of sarcopenia on clinical outcomes in patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC). A systematic literature search was performed in November 2021. Some studies that reported the impacts of sarcopenia on the prognosis of patients with BTC were included. The overall hazard ratios (HRs), overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and odds ratio (OR) for major postoperative complications were calculated using a fixed- or random effects. In the 18 studies, 3261 patients were enrolled for analysis. Based on defining sarcopenia by muscle mass, sarcopenia predicted OS, and based on defining sarcopenia by muscle density, HR was 2.10 (95% CI 1.72-2.56) and HR was 2.12 (95% CI 1.46- 3.10). Patients with sarcopenia had poorer RFS, and HR was 2.18 (95% CI 1.75-2.71). The incidence rate of major postoperative complication increased compared with those without sarcopenia (OR, 1.45; 95% Cl, 1.07-1.96). Sarcopenia is an independent risk factor for poor OS and RFS in patients with BTC. Sarcopenia is associated with the occurrence of major postoperative complications. This study provides advice that clinicians should provide importance to the assessment of skeletal muscle status and provide suitable nutritional supports and exercise program to reduce the sarcopenia in patients with BTC.

Classification based on skeletal muscle mass and the severity of lung emphysema impacts on clinical outcomes after anatomical resection for lung cancer

OBJECTIVES

Both sarcopenia and lung emphysema are prognostic factors in lung cancer and can be easily assessed using the psoas muscle index and Goddard score, respectively. We investigated the clinical significance of the classification based on psoas muscle index and Goddard score in non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODS

A total of 303 consecutive patients who underwent anatomical resection for non-small cell lung cancer were retrospectively analyzed. The psoas muscle at the level of the third lumbar vertebrae and Goddard score were measured on preoperative computed tomography. The psoas muscle was adjusted by height as the psoas muscle index (cm2/m2). We divided patients into three groups: low-, middle- and high-risk, using cut-off values of psoas muscle index < 6.36 cm2/m2 for males and 3.92 cm2/m2 for females and Goddard score higher than 7. The predictors of postoperative complications and prognosis were examined.

RESULTS

High-, middle- and low-risk were present in 30 (10%), 164 (54%) and 109 (36%) patients, respectively. High risk was significantly associated with male sex, low pulmonary function, more comorbidities and increased postoperative complications. High-risk patients showed poorer overall survival than middle- and low-risk patients (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis revealed that high risk was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications and unfavorable prognostic factors (P = 0.011, P = 0.014, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Classification based on psoas muscle index and Goddard score is significantly associated with short- and long-term outcomes in patients with lung cancer. This method can be easily assessed for patients and may help select patients for nutritional support and rehabilitation before surgery.

Sarcopenia increases the risk of post-operative recurrence in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Sarcopenia is among the most prevalent and serious cancer-related symptom, and is strongly correlated with a poor prognosis. Moreover, it reportedly predicts poor prognosis after surgery in patients with lung cancer. However, it is unclear whether sarcopenia directly affects post-operative recurrence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether sarcopenia can be a risk indicator for post-operative recurrence, and whether it suppresses anti-tumor immunity, in a cohort of patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods

This study retrospectively reviewed the data of 256 consecutive patients who underwent curative lobectomy and lymph node dissection for non-small cell lung cancer at our institution. The psoas muscle mass index was calculated as the total psoas muscle area at the third lumbar vertebral level/height² (cm²/m²). Sarcopenia was defined by a psoas muscle mass index of under 5.03 cm²/m² and 3.17 cm²/m² in male and female patients, respectively. Post-operative prognosis and cumulative incidence of recurrence rates were calculated.

Results

The 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates post-surgery were 59.5% and 38.6%, respectively, in patients with sarcopenia versus 81.1% and 72.1%, respectively, in patients without sarcopenia (p < 0.001). The 5-year cumulative incidence of recurrence rate in patients with sarcopenia was significantly higher than those without sarcopenia (49.9% versus 22.4%, respectively) in every pathological stage. Pathological stages II and III (hazard ratio, 3.36; p = 0.004), histological type (hazard ratio, 2.31; p = 0.025), and sarcopenia (hazard ratio, 2.52; p = 0.001) were independent risk factors for post-operative recurrence according to multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

Sarcopenia is a risk indicator for post-operative recurrence in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.