Core Concepts
Sarcopenia can predict the need for feeding tube placement in OPSCC patients undergoing radiation or chemoradiation therapy.
Abstract
TOPLINE:
Detecting sarcopenia alongside malnutrition markers can guide feeding tube placement decisions in OPSCC patients.
METHODOLOGY:
Sarcopenia in OPSCC patients linked to worse survival.
No universal protocol for feeding tube recommendation.
Study on 194 OPSCC patients to predict feeding tube need.
TAKEAWAY:
30.9% patients received feeding tubes.
Sarcopenia identified in 73% based on C3 measurements.
Patients with feeding tubes had lower skeletal muscle index.
IN PRACTICE:
T4 skeletal muscle mass may be a practical biomarker for sarcopenia detection.
SOURCE:
Led by Nedeljko Jovanovic from Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
LIMITATIONS:
Retrospective design, single-center setting, predominantly male sample.
DISCLOSURES:
No funding received, no competing interests.
Stats
Studies indicated that 33%-62% of OPSCC patients undergoing radiotherapy receive feeding tubes.
60 patients (30.9%) received an enteral feeding tube.
The optimal cutoff value for feeding tube placement was 48.4 cm2/m2 with an area under the curve of 0.638.
Quotes
"Skeletal muscle mass measured at T4 may represent a novel and practical biomarker for sarcopenia detection."