Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Competing-Risk Nomogram for Predicting Cancer-Specific Survival in Multiple Primary Colorectal Cancer Patients after Surgery
Published on: September 27, 2024
Impact of body composition and physical strength changes during chemoradiotherapy on complications and survival after
R B den Boer1, I L Defize1, W Veldhuis2
1Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Background:
The aim of this study was to assess body composition and physical strength changes during neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and assess their predictive value for (severe) postoperative complications and overall survival in patients who underwent oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer.
Methods:
Consecutive patients who underwent nCRT and oesophagectomy with curative intent in a tertiary referral center were included in the study. Perioperative data were collected in a prospectively maintained database. The CT images before and after nCRT were used to assess skeletal muscle index (SMI), subcutaneous fat index (SFI), and visceral fat index (VFI). To assess physical strength, handgrip strength (HGS) and the exercise capacity of the steep ramp test (SRT Wpeak) were acquired before and after nCRT.
Results:
Between 2015 and 2020, 126 patients were included. SMI increased in female subgroups and decreased in male subgroups (35.38 to35.60 cm2/m2 for females, P value 0.048, 46.89 to 45.34 cm2/m2 for males, P value < 0.001). No significant changes in SFI, VFI, HGS, and SRT Wpeak were observed. No predictive value of changes in SMI, HGS, and SRT Wpeak was shown for (severe) postoperative complications and overall survival.
Conclusions:
A significant but minimal decrease in SMI during nCRT was observed for males only, it was not associated with postoperative complications or overall survival. Physical strength measurements did not decrease significantly over the course of nCRT. No associations with postoperative complications or overall survival were observed.
Related Concept Videos
Cancer Survival Analysis
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Barrett Esophagus-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
To diagnose Barrett's esophagus, healthcare providers often recommend an endoscopy for those showing symptoms of acid reflux. The procedure...
Biological Effects of Radiation
Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction
Etiology
The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists

