Determining the prevalence and severity of cancer cachexia in advanced non-small cell lung cancer and its relationship with chemotherapy outcomes

• DOI: 10.1007/s00520-019-05259-1
• Publication Date: 2020-01-08T06:02:28Z
• Authors: Rhys White; C. Elizabeth Weekes; Robert Grant; Christine Baldwin; Hafez Ahmed
• Keywords: Male; Cachexia; Lung Neoplasms; 610; Middle Aged; Classification; NSCLC; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Treatment Outcome; 0302 clinical medicine; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; 616; Prevalence; Chemotherapy; Humans; Original Article; Female; Cancer

Abstract Purpose Cancer cachexia (CC) is a syndrome characterised by an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass associated with reduced tolerance to treatment. This study explored the prevalence and severity CC in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients determined its relationship chemotherapy outcomes. Methods was classified into four-stage model: no cachexia, pre-cachexia (PC), refractory (RC) categorisation from biochemical body composition performance assessment. Associations between stage outcomes including radiological response, number cycles completed delayed or dose were explored. Results Twenty-four included 4 (18%) as having PC, 3 (14%) (13.6%), 11 (50%) RC. No association observed response cycle’s reduced; however, there ( p = 0.030). An C-reactive protein (CRP) 0.044) reductions also identified. Conclusions Limited conclusions can be drawn given small sample size. However, majority presented some degree at diagnosis. A identified increasing lower completed, well CRP required, therefore warrants further exploration larger studies.