Impact on postoperative complications of changes in skeletal muscle mass during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for gastro-oesophageal cancer.
den Boer RB., Jones KI., Ash S., van Boxel GI., Gillies RS., O'Donnell T., Ruurda JP., Sgromo B., Silva MA., Maynard ND.
BackgroundRisk assessment is relevant to predict postoperative outcomes in patients with gastro-oesophageal cancer. This cohort study aimed to assess body composition changes during neoadjuvant chemotherapy and investigate their association with postoperative complications.MethodsConsecutive patients with gastro-oesophageal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery with curative intent between 2016 and 2019 were identified from a specific database and included in the study. CT images before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were used to assess the skeletal muscle index, sarcopenia, and subcutaneous and visceral fat index.ResultsIn a cohort of 199 patients, the mean skeletal muscle index decreased during neoadjuvant therapy (from 51·187 to 49·19 cm2 /m2 ; P ConclusionSkeletal muscle index decreased during neoadjuvant therapy but was not associated with postoperative complications.