ICHNO-ECHNO 2022 - Abstract Book

S102

ICHNO-ECHNO 2022

Purpose or Objective The aim of the study was to analyze the cohort of head and neck squamocellular cancer (HNSCC) pts (pts) who underwent radiotherapy (RT) or radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy (RT-CHT) and their body mass index (BMI) and skeletal muscle index (SMI) pattern of variation at 3 months after treatment completion. Materials and Methods From 2016 to 2020, we identified and included 73 consecutive HNSCC pts treated in our Institution by RT (14) o RT-CHT (59) with definitive or adjuvant purpose. Pts were followed-up from both the department of Radiation Oncology and the department of Nutrition Science of our Institution. Pts’ t 0 (at time of diagnosis) and t 3 (3 months after treatment completion) CT scans were retrieved to measure skeletal muscle as cross-section area (CSA) in a single slice at the level of C3 vertebra (Fig. 1). Skeletal muscle area was defined as the pixel area between the radiodensity range of -29 and +150 Hounsfield Units (HU) and SMI calculated. Charlson Score was used in order to assess comorbidities, resulting in a median score of 4 (range: 2-11).

Fig.1

Results Pts were followed-up up to disease progression, relapse or death. Median follow-up was 16 months (range: 3 – 70 months), Kaplan-Meier progression-free survival analysis was performed. We enrolled 73 pts in the study, 20 events were recorded (9 disease progressions and 11 tumor relapses). The 82% of pts was free of progression at 1 year (95% C.I. 0.70-0.89). We analyzed BMI and SMI at t 0 and t 3 . At t 0 , average BMI was 25.79 (SD 4.06), while, at t 3 , it was 24.46 (SD 3.56) with a reduction in 54 pts (73,97%). The difference was evaluated by Wilcoxon signer-rank test, showing a BMI decrease of -1,33 (SD 1.81) and p-value <0.0001. At t 0 , average SMI was 57,14 (SD 11,01), while, at t 3 , it was 59,17 (SD 11,84) with a reduction in 26 pts (35,62%). The difference was evaluated by Wilcoxon signed-rank test, showing a SMI increase of 2,03 (SD 5,47) and p-value <0.0055. We further analyzed the BMI and SMI variance with some groups of variables, as showed in table 1. Mann-Whitney test was used and p-value <0,05 was considered significative. The SMI increment found in our population could be justified by the nutritional interventions and supplementation monitored by strict follow-up.