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Changes in Lean Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength, and Physical Performance Following First-Line Chemotherapy in Patients
Charlotte Nørregaard Grønset1, Mary Jarden2,3, Jan Christensen1
1Department of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Centre of Head and Orthopedics, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Hematological Oncology
|November 4, 2025
Summary
Chemotherapy significantly reduces lean body mass and muscle strength in lymphoma patients. Routine screening and rehabilitation are crucial during and after treatment to manage these physical declines.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Exercise Physiology
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Lymphomas are prevalent cancers impacting the lymphatic system.
- Chemotherapy is a primary treatment, but its effects on patient physical capacity are not well understood.
- Physical deconditioning can negatively affect treatment outcomes and quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess changes in body composition, muscle strength, and physical performance in lymphoma patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- To investigate the relationship between muscle function alterations and chemotherapy treatment tolerability.
Main Methods:
- A single-center prospective cohort study involving 58 adult patients with aggressive lymphoma receiving first-line anthracycline-based chemotherapy.
- Evaluations of body composition (DXA), hand-grip strength, 30-second Sit-To-Stand test, 10-m gait speed, and Quality of Life (EORTC-QLQ-C30) were conducted pre-treatment and at 6 months post-treatment.
- Sarcopenia definitions from the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) were applied.
Main Results:
- Significant decreases in total lean mass (-1.70 kg) and hand-grip strength (-1.93 kg) were observed from baseline to 6 months post-chemotherapy.
- Body fat percentage increased by 2.3%, while Sit-To-Stand performance improved by 1.4 repetitions.
- No significant changes were noted in appendicular lean mass, body weight, or gait speed. No association was found between muscle function changes and treatment tolerability.
Conclusions:
- Chemotherapy leads to substantial declines in total lean body mass and muscle strength in lymphoma patients.
- These findings highlight the necessity for regular muscle function monitoring and targeted rehabilitation interventions for lymphoma patients during and after chemotherapy.
- Proactive management of physical capacity can potentially improve treatment outcomes and patient well-being.
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