Weight loss is associated with worse outcomes in patients receiving initial treatment for advanced gastric cancer, according to a new retrospective analysis published in Supportive Care in Cancer.
The study was an analysisof the medical records of 131 patients in Japan who were treated for advancedgastric cancer. In this study, researchers examined outcomes with regard to weightloss over time after beginning initial systemic chemotherapy. Weight loss wasdefined as occurring over the prior 6 months, while on chemotherapy, andequaling a reduction in weight of more than 5%, or more than 2% in patients witha body mass index that was below 20 kg/m2.
Patients had a median ageof 68 years, median body mass index of 21.1 kg/m2, and medianEastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 0.
The researchers found thatin the initial 12 weeks following the start of chemotherapy, patients had acumulative incidence of weight loss of 53.4%. This rate rose to 87.7% by 48weeks.
Overall survival (OS) showeda significant association with weight loss within 12 weeks, 24 weeks, or 48weeks following the initiation of chemotherapy. Patients with weight loss duringthe first 12 weeks had a median OS of 442 days, compared with 500 days forthose without weight loss (P =.0167). For those with weight loss duringthe first 48 weeks, the median OS was 459 days, compared with 851 days forthose without weight loss (P =.0020).
Adverse events associatedwith greater prevalence and intensity in the weight loss group were fatigue andloss of appetite.
The researchers concluded that weight loss, and outcomes associated with it, began relatively early in this patient population. These results suggest the importance of monitoring [weight loss] or providing nutritional support at the beginning of chemotherapy, wrote the researchers in their report.
Reference
Fukahori M, Shibata M, Hamauchi S, Kasamatsu E, Machii K. A retrospective cohort study to investigate the incidence of cancer-related weight loss during chemotherapy in gastric cancer patients [published online May 3, 2020]. Support Care Cancer. doi:10.1007/s00520-020-05479-w
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Weight Loss Following Chemotherapy Was Associated With Worse Outcomes in Patients With Advanced Gastric Cancer - Oncology Nurse Advisor
