Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Competing-Risk Nomogram for Predicting Cancer-Specific Survival in Multiple Primary Colorectal Cancer Patients after Surgery

Competing-Risk Nomogram for Predicting Cancer-Specific Survival in Multiple Primary Colorectal Cancer Patients after Surgery

Published on: September 27, 2024

The relationship between computed tomography-derived body composition, systemic inflammatory response, and survival

Ross D Dolan¹, Arwa S Almasaudi¹, Ly B Dieu¹

¹Academic Unit of Surgery, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle

|November 22, 2018

Abstract

Introduction:

Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality in developed countries. There is evidence supporting a disproportionate loss of skeletal muscle as an independent prognostic factor. The importance of the systemic inflammatory response as a unifying mechanism for specific loss of skeletal muscle mass in patients with cancer is increasingly recognized. The aim of the present study was to delineate the relationship between the systemic inflammatory response, skeletal muscle index (SMI), skeletal muscle density (SMD), and overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer.

Materials And Methods:

The study included 650 patients with primary operable colorectal cancer. Computed tomography scans were used to define the presence of visceral obesity, sarcopenia (low SMI), and myosteatosis (low SMD). Tumour and patient characteristics were recorded. Survival analysis was carried out using univariate and multivariate Cox regression.

Results:

A total of 650 patients (354 men and 296 women) were included. The majority of patients were over 65 years of age (64%) and overweight or obese (68%). On univariate survival analysis, age, ASA, TNM stage, modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), body mass index, subcutaneous fat index, visceral obesity, SMI, and SMD were significantly associated with overall survival (all P < 0.05). A low SMI and SMD were significantly associated with an elevated mGPS (<0.05). On multivariate analysis, SMI (Martin) [hazard ratio (HR) 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-2.18, P = 0.031], SMD (Xiao) (HR 1.42, 95% CI 0.98-2.05, P = 0.061), and mGPS (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.15-1.79, P = 0.001) were independently associated with overall survival. SMD but not SMI was significantly associated with ASA (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

This study delineates the relationship between the loss of quantity and quality of skeletal muscle mass, the systemic inflammatory response, and survival in patients with operable colorectal cancer.

Keywords:

Body composition Colorectal cancer Computed tomography Glasgow prognostic score Systemic inflammation TNM stage

More Related Videos

Orthotopic Implantation of Patient-Derived Cancer Cells in Mice Recapitulates Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Orthotopic Implantation of Patient-Derived Cancer Cells in Mice Recapitulates Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Published on: February 10, 2023

Detection of a Circulating MicroRNA Custom Panel in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Detection of a Circulating MicroRNA Custom Panel in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Published on: March 14, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Computed Tomography

Computed Tomography

Tomography refers to imaging by sections. Computed tomography (CT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses computers to analyze several cross-sectional X-rays to reveal minute details about structures in the body.
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...

Composite Bodies

Composite Bodies

A composite body is a body made up of multiple parts, connected to form a larger, unified object. Each part has its own weight and center of gravity, which must be considered to determine the center of gravity of the composite body. In cases where the density or specific weight is constant, the center of gravity coincides with the centroid.
Composite bodies have widespread applications in mechanical engineering, from automobiles to aircraft to rockets. For example, an automobile wheel comprises...

Inflammatory Response

Inflammatory Response

An inflammatory response is a localized, nonspecific immune reaction that occurs when a tissue is injured. It is characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain, which are commonly called the cardinal signs and symptoms of inflammation. Inflammation can sometimes result in a loss of function.
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...

Composition of Body Fluids

Composition of Body Fluids

Water functions as a solvent accommodating various solutes, which can be categorized under electrolytes and non-electrolytes. Non-electrolytes are usually held together by covalent bonds, restricting them from dissociating in solution, thereby leading to a lack of electrically charged components upon dissolving in water. They are predominantly organic molecules, such as glucose, creatinine, and urea. Electrolytes, on the other hand, are compounds that can break down into ions in water.

Cancer Survival Analysis

Cancer 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...

Buffer Systems in the Body

Buffer Systems in the Body

Chemical buffers play a critical role in the body's regulation of pH levels. These systems contain one or more compounds that stabilize pH changes by neutralizing strong acids or bases. When pH levels drop, hydrogen ions bind to a weak base; when pH levels rise, hydrogen ions are released. This dynamic process helps maintain pH within a narrow and stable range essential for normal physiological function.
A typical buffer system in bodily fluids includes a weak acid and its corresponding...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

The role of quantitative faecal immunochemical test (qFIT) in patients presenting with per-rectal bleeding: A cohort study from a colorectal unit in Scotland.

Scottish medical journal·2026

Tracking Perioperative Inflammation over Time: A Prospective Observational Study on the Longitudinal Dynamics of CRP and GDF-15.

Nutrients·2026

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and MUST-Defined Nutritional Risk as Independent Correlates of Domain-Specific Quality of Life in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy.

Journal of clinical medicine·2026

Peri-Operative Systemic Inflammatory Responses Predict Post-Operative Complications in Patients Undergoing Pelvic Exenterative Surgery for Primary Locally Advanced Sigmoid and Rectal Cancer.

Journal of surgical oncology·2026

Interpretation of serum magnesium concentrations in the presence of the systemic inflammatory response: a large patient cohort study.

Scientific reports·2026

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Probiotic Use in Enteral Feeding Among Intensive Care Unit Healthcare Professionals.

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2026

See all related articles