The association of pretreatment low skeletal muscle mass with chemotherapy dose-limiting toxicity in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing primary chemoradiotherapy with high-dose cisplatin

Sandra I. Bril, Abrahim Al-Mamgani, Najiba Chargi, Peter Remeijer, Lot A. Devriese, Jan Paul de Boer, Remco de Bree*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Low skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is an adverse prognostic factor for chemotherapy dose-limiting toxicity (CDLT). In patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergoing chemoradiotherapy (CRT), low SMM is a predictor for CDLT. We aimed to validate these findings.

METHODS: Consecutive LA-HNSCC patients treated with primary CRT with high-dose cisplatin were retrospectively included. SMM was measured on pre-treatment CT-imaging. A cumulative cisplatin dose below 200 mg/m 2 was defined as CDLT.

RESULTS: One hundred and fifty three patients were included; 37 (24.2%) experienced CDLT, and 84 had low SMM (54.9%). Patients with low SMM experienced more CDLT than patients with normal SMM (35.7% vs. 10.1%, p < 0.01). Low SMM (OR 3.99 [95% CI 1.56-10.23], p = 0.01) and an eGFR of 60-70 ml/min (OR 5.40 [95% CI 1.57-18.65], p < 0.01) were predictors for CDLT.

CONCLUSION: Pre-treatment low SMM is associated with CDLT in LA-HNSCC patients treated with primary CRT. Routine SMM assessment may allow for CDLT risk assessment and treatment optimization.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)189-200
Number of pages12
JournalHead and Neck
Volume44
Issue number1
Early online date29 Oct 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2022

Keywords

  • antineoplastic agents
  • body composition
  • head and neck neoplasms
  • radiotherapy
  • treatment outcome

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