Evaluation of Skeletal Muscle Mass by Using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Abstract

Sarcopenia, defined as low muscle mass and low muscle strength, is known as a predictor of survival and as a risk factor for postoperative complications in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. However, the clinical significance of sarcopenia in patients with head and neck cancer has not yet been clarified. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a simple method for the measurement of skeletal muscle mass. In this study, we evaluated the skeletal muscle mass in 50 patients with head and neck cancer by BIA. Of the 50 patients, 25 (50.0%) were judged as having sarcopenia. The relationship between sarcopenia and the complications of chemoradiotherapy were analyzed. Significant differences in the frequency of renal function impairment (P=0.005) and radiation dermatitis (P=0.019) were recognized between the sarcopenia group and the non-sarcopenia group. In this study, we showed that sarcopenia occurs at a prevalence in head and neck cancer patients, and also that sarcopenia is associated with the risk of development of treatment complications in these patients.