Prediction of critical weight loss during radiation treatment in head and neck cancer patients is dependent on BMI

TY - JOUR

T1 - Prediction of critical weight loss during radiation treatment in head and neck cancer patients is dependent on BMI

AU - Lønbro, Simon

AU - Bjerg Petersen, Gry

AU - Andersen, Jens Rikardt

AU - Johansen, Jørgen

N1 - CURIS 2016 NEXS 089

PY - 2016/5/1

Y1 - 2016/5/1

N2 - Purpose: The aims of the present study were to explore pre-treatment predictors of weight loss during radiation treatment only in head and neck cancer (HNSCC) patients and investigate the weight loss in patients with or without a feeding tube. Methods: Retrospectively, weight change during curative radiotherapy was investigated in 476 consecutive HNSCC patients. Independent predictors were identified using multivariate regression analysis with weight loss below or above 5 % as the primary dependent variable. Results: Baseline BMI, tumor site, and stage predicted weight loss above 5 %. The odds of weight loss above 5 % in patients with BMI >25 were 3.00 ± 0.64 times higher compared with patients with BMI <25 (p < 0.0001). Patients with pharyngeal, oral cavity, or supraglottic tumors had 3.12 ± 0.80 times higher odds of weight loss above 5 % compared with glottic cancer patients (p < 0.0001), and the odds were 1.68 ± 0.40 times higher in stage III–IV patients compared with stage I–II patients (p = 0.03). Seperate analyses revealed that tumor site and stage only predicted weight loss in patients with BMI >25 but not in patients with BMI <25. Patients receiving a feeding tube weighed less than patients without (73.8 vs 78.3 kg) and feeding tube reduced, but did not prevent, weight loss which averaged 6.7 ± 4.7 kg (7.4 ± 4.7 %) compared with 4.7 ± 5.9 kg (5.5 ± 6.0 %) in patients without a feeding tube (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Pre-treatment BMI, tumor site and stage predicted weight loss above 5 % in HNSCC patients during radiotherapy. BMI should be considered when analyzing weight loss in HNSCC patients receiving curative radiotherapy.

AB - Purpose: The aims of the present study were to explore pre-treatment predictors of weight loss during radiation treatment only in head and neck cancer (HNSCC) patients and investigate the weight loss in patients with or without a feeding tube. Methods: Retrospectively, weight change during curative radiotherapy was investigated in 476 consecutive HNSCC patients. Independent predictors were identified using multivariate regression analysis with weight loss below or above 5 % as the primary dependent variable. Results: Baseline BMI, tumor site, and stage predicted weight loss above 5 %. The odds of weight loss above 5 % in patients with BMI >25 were 3.00 ± 0.64 times higher compared with patients with BMI <25 (p < 0.0001). Patients with pharyngeal, oral cavity, or supraglottic tumors had 3.12 ± 0.80 times higher odds of weight loss above 5 % compared with glottic cancer patients (p < 0.0001), and the odds were 1.68 ± 0.40 times higher in stage III–IV patients compared with stage I–II patients (p = 0.03). Seperate analyses revealed that tumor site and stage only predicted weight loss in patients with BMI >25 but not in patients with BMI <25. Patients receiving a feeding tube weighed less than patients without (73.8 vs 78.3 kg) and feeding tube reduced, but did not prevent, weight loss which averaged 6.7 ± 4.7 kg (7.4 ± 4.7 %) compared with 4.7 ± 5.9 kg (5.5 ± 6.0 %) in patients without a feeding tube (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Pre-treatment BMI, tumor site and stage predicted weight loss above 5 % in HNSCC patients during radiotherapy. BMI should be considered when analyzing weight loss in HNSCC patients receiving curative radiotherapy.

U2 - 10.1007/s00520-015-2999-8

DO - 10.1007/s00520-015-2999-8

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 26553031

SN - 0941-4355

VL - 24

SP - 2101

EP - 2109

JO - Supportive Care in Cancer

JF - Supportive Care in Cancer

IS - 5

ER -