Computed Tomography–Determined Sarcopenia Is a Useful Imaging Biomarker for Predicting Postoperative Outcomes in Elderly Colorectal Cancer Patients
- Author:
Hailun XIE
1
;
Yizhen GONG
;
Jiaan KUANG
;
Ling YAN
;
Guotian RUAN
;
Shuangyi TANG
;
Feng GAO
;
Jialiang GAN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Cancer Research and Treatment 2020;52(3):957-972
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:0
-
Abstract:
Purpose:This study aimed to establish whether computed tomography (CT)–determined sarcopenia is a useful imaging biomarker for postoperative outcome in elderly colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, and construct sarcopenia-based nomograms to predict individual outcomes after surgery.
Materials and Methods:CT imaging data of 298 elderly CRC patients who underwent surgery in 2012-2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Skeletal muscle mass was determined by CT, and sarcopenia was diagnosed based on the optimal cutoff value determined by X-tile program. The correlation between sarcopenia and risk of preoperative nutrition and postoperative complications was evaluated. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine survival predictors. Sarcopenia-based nomograms were developed based on multivariate analysis, and calibrated using concordance index and calibration curves.
Results:A total 132 patients (44.3%) had sarcopenia based on the optimum cutoff values (29.9 cm2/m2 for women and 49.5 cm2/m2 for men). Sarcopenia was an independent risk factor for preoperative nutrition (p < 0.001; odds ratio [OR], 3.405; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.948 to 5.954) and postoperative complications (p=0.008; OR, 2.192; 95% CI, 1.231 to 3.903). Sarcopenia was an independent predictor for poor progression-free survival (p < 0.001; hazard ratio [HR], 2.175; 95% CI, 1.489 to 3.179) and overall survival (p < 0.001; HR, 2.524; 95% CI, 1.721 to 3.703). Based on multivariate analysis, we produced four nomograms that had better predictive performance.
Conclusion:CT-determined sarcopenia is a useful imaging biomarker for predicting preoperative nutritional risk, postoperative complications, and long-term outcomes in elderly CRC patients. The sarcopenia-based nomograms can provide a scientific basis for guiding therapeutic schedule and follow-up strategies.
