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Sarcopenia in gastrointestinal cancers.
Tomoya Emori1, Masahiro Itonaga2, Reiko Ashida2
1Department of Gastroenterology, Wakayama Rosai Hospital, 93-1 Kinomoto, Wakayama, 640-8505, Japan. t-emori@wakayama-med.ac.jp.
International Journal of Clinical Oncology
|November 9, 2025
Summary
Sarcopenia, or muscle loss, significantly worsens outcomes for gastrointestinal cancer patients. Early detection and integrated interventions like nutrition and exercise are crucial for improving survival and treatment tolerance.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Geriatrics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Sarcopenia, the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, is prevalent in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients.
- It is often overlooked but significantly impacts patient prognosis and treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of sarcopenia in GI cancers.
- To highlight its clinical impact across various treatment settings.
- To discuss assessment and integrated management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review summarizing current evidence on sarcopenia in GI cancers.
- Analysis of sarcopenia's impact on surgical candidates and patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- Discussion of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Main Results:
- Preoperative sarcopenia in surgical candidates correlates with increased complications, longer hospital stays, and reduced survival.
- Sarcopenia in patients receiving chemotherapy is linked to higher toxicity, poorer treatment adherence, reduced quality of life, and shorter survival.
- Sarcopenia is identified as a modifiable risk factor influencing the clinical course of GI cancer.
Conclusions:
- Early detection and multidisciplinary interventions, including nutritional optimization and exercise, are vital for managing sarcopenia in GI cancer patients.
- Integrated management strategies involving oncologists, dietitians, and physiotherapists are essential for improving outcomes and survival.
- Addressing sarcopenia is a key component of personalized cancer care in GI oncology.
