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Radiation Oncology
Published in: Radiation Oncology 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research

Weight and body mass index in relation to irradiated volume and to overall survival in patients with oropharyngeal cancer: a retrospective cohort study

Authors: Sandra Ottosson, Karin Söderström, Elisabeth Kjellén, Per Nilsson, Björn Zackrisson, Göran Laurell

Published in: Radiation Oncology | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Weight loss is a common problem in patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN) treated with radiotherapy (RT). The aims of the present study were to determine if treated volume (TV), as a measure of the radiation dose burden, can predict weight loss in patients with oropharyngeal cancer and to analyze weight loss and body mass index (BMI) in the same patient group in relation to 5-year overall survival.

Methods

The ARTSCAN trial is a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial in patients with SCCHN. Nutritional data from the ARTSCAN trial were analyzed retrospectively using univariate and multivariate statistical methods based on information on percentage weight loss from the start of RT up to five months after the termination of RT (study cohort 1, n = 232) and information on patients’ BMI at the start of RT (study cohort 2, n = 203). TV was defined as the volume of the patient receiving at least 95% of the prescribed dose. TV64.6 Gy encompasses macroscopic tumor and TV43.7 Gy elective lymph nodes of the neck.

Results

TV64.6 Gy and TV43.7 Gy were both significantly correlated with higher weight loss up to five months after the termination of RT in study cohort 1 (p < 0.001 for both). BMI at the start of RT was shown to be a prognostic factor for 5-year overall survival in study cohort 2 but weight loss was not. The hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were 3.78 (1.46–9.75) and 2.57 (1.43–4.62) in patients with underweight and normal weight, respectively.

Conclusions

TV can predict weight loss during RT in patients with oropharyngeal cancer regardless of clinical stage. A high BMI (>25 kg/m2) at the start of RT is positively associated with survival in patients with oropharyngeal cancer.
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Metadata
Title
Weight and body mass index in relation to irradiated volume and to overall survival in patients with oropharyngeal cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Authors
Sandra Ottosson
Karin Söderström
Elisabeth Kjellén
Per Nilsson
Björn Zackrisson
Göran Laurell
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Radiation Oncology / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1748-717X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-717X-9-160

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