Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
13:35
Segmentation and Linear Measurement for Body Composition Analysis using Slice-O-Matic and Horos
Published on: March 21, 2021
Discrepancy between body surface area and body composition in cancer
Nicole Stobäus1, Susanne Küpferling, Marie-Luise Lorenz
1a Charité University Medicine Berlin , Department of Gastroenterology, Infectiology and Rheumatology (Section Nutritional Medicine) , Berlin , Germany.
Nutrition and Cancer
|September 27, 2013
Summary
Cytostatic dosing based on body surface area (BSA) may be inaccurate. This study found low fat-free mass (FFM) in cancer patients, impacting mortality risk, especially in women.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Body Composition Analysis
- Pharmacokinetics
Background:
- Cytostatic drug dosing commonly relies on body surface area (BSA), potentially overlooking individual body composition.
- Cancer patients may exhibit significant variations in fat-free mass (FFM) independent of their BSA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the discrepancy between BSA and FFM in cancer patients.
- To determine the prevalence of low FFM relative to BSA.
- To assess the impact of low FFM on patient outcomes and mortality.
Main Methods:
- Calculated BSA using the DuBois and DuBois formula for 630 cancer patients.
- Assessed FFM using bioelectrical impedance analysis, categorizing patients into low, normal, or high FFM groups within BSA strata.
- Analyzed the relationship between FFM, BSA, and 1-year mortality in chemotherapy patients.
Main Results:
- A notable discrepancy between FFM and BSA was observed.
- 15.7% of patients presented with low FFM, associated with higher BMI, increased fatigue, and reduced functional status.
- Low FFM was a significant predictor of increased 1-year mortality in patients receiving chemotherapy (HR=1.644, P=0.025).
Conclusions:
- BSA is an inadequate surrogate for FFM in cytostatic dose calculation.
- Low FFM is prevalent in cancer patients and negatively impacts clinical outcomes and survival.
- Women are disproportionately affected by low FFM, highlighting a potential need for sex-specific dosing adjustments.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
01:29Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
Self-discrepancy theory explains how people compare their actual self to their ideal and ought selves and how mismatches between these self-guides can lead to emotional distress. Developed by E. Tory Higgins, the theory distinguishes among three components of self-concept: the actual self, the ideal self, and the ought self. These refer respectively to how individuals perceive themselves, how they aspire to be, and how they believe they are obligated to be. Emotional well-being, self-esteem,...
02:18Cancer
Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
02:12What is Cancer?
Cells and tissues must meticulously coordinate their activities for the normal functioning of the human body. Therefore, they exhibit socially responsible behavior - resting, growing, dividing, differentiating, or dying - for the organism’s benefit. Cancer arises when cells divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues or organs.
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...