Open AccessThe deterioration of muscle mass and radiodensity is prognostic of poor survival in stage I–III colorectal cancer: a population‐based cohort study ( C‐SCANS )
Author(s) -
Brown Justin C.,
Caan Bette J.,
Meyerhardt Jeffrey A.,
Weltzien Erin,
Xiao Jingjie,
Cespedes Feliciano Elizabeth M.,
Kroenke Candyce H.,
Castillo Adrienne,
Kwan Marilyn L.,
Prado Carla M.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.803
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 2190-6009
pISSN - 2190-5991
DOI - 10.1002/jcsm.12305
Subject(s) - hazard ratio , medicine , radiodensity , colorectal cancer , proportional hazards model , population , confidence interval , wasting , context (archaeology) , body mass index , cancer , stage (stratigraphy) , cohort , surgery , gastroenterology , radiography , paleontology , environmental health , biology
Background Muscle abnormalities such as low muscle mass and low muscle radiodensity are well known risk factors for unfavourable cancer prognosis. However, little is known in regard to the degree and impact of longitudinal changes in muscle mass and radiodensity within the context of cancer. Here, we explore the relationship between muscle wasting and mortality in a large population‐based study of patients with non‐metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods A total of 1924 patients with stage I–III CRC who underwent surgical resection in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Health System were included. Muscle mass and radiodensity were quantified using computed tomography images obtained at diagnosis and after approximately 14 months. Cox proportional‐hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios for all‐cause mortality. Results The hazard ratio for all‐cause mortality among patients with the largest deterioration in muscle mass (≥2 SD; ≥11.4% loss from baseline), as compared with those who remained stable (±1 SD; 0.0 ± 5.7%) was 2.15 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.59–2.92; P < 0.001]. The hazard ratio for all‐cause mortality among patients who experienced the largest deterioration in muscle radiodensity (≥2 SD; ≥20.2% loss from baseline), as compared with those who remained stable (±1 SD; 0.0 ± 10.1%) was 1.61 (95% CI: 1.20–2.15; P = 0.002). Conclusions In patients with stage I–III CRC, muscle wasting is a risk factor for mortality, independent of change in body mass and other body composition parameters.