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Assessment of myosteatosis and functionality in pretreatment gynecological cancer patients

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Abstract

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the relationship between pretreatment gynecologic cancer survival and the physical function of patients with myosteatosis. Understanding this relationship prior to treatment would help healthcare providers identify and refer patients with poor muscle quality to an exercise program prior to treatment.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 73 GC patients. Physical function was quantified using handgrip strength and an adapted version of the Senior Fitness Test (aerobic endurance not included). The EORTC QLC-C30 was used to evaluate general health quality. Myosteatosis (values below the median muscle radiodensity), muscle mass, and adipose tissue variables were calculated from the computed tomography (CT) scan at the third lumbar vertebra using specific software.

Results

Seventy patients (50.9 ± 15.2) were included; 41.5% had stage III or IV disease, and 61.4% had cervical cancer. The myosteatosis group was 11.9 years older and showed reduced functioning compared to the normal-radiodensity group. Age and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test results were shown to be the most reliable predictors of muscle radiodensity in pretreatment gynecological patients according to multivariate regression analysis (R2 = 0.314).

Conclusion

Gynecological healthcare professionals should be aware that prompt exercise programs might be especially beneficial for older patients with reduced TUG performance to preserve muscle function and quality.

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Data Availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

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Acknowledgements

We appreciate the participation and technical assistance of the entire hospital staff.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Program of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Andre Cavalcanti Av. 37, Rio de Janeiro, 20231050, Brazil

    Regielly Candido da Silva, Anke Bergmann & Fernando Tadeu Trevisan Frajacomo

  2. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Gabriela Villaça Chaves

Authors
  1. Regielly Candido da Silva
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  2. Gabriela Villaça Chaves
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  3. Anke Bergmann
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  4. Fernando Tadeu Trevisan Frajacomo
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Contributions

RCS wrote the manuscript, acquired the data, and contributed to the analysis and interpretation of the data and critical revision. GVC contributed to the study conception and design, acquired the data, and contributed to the analysis and interpretation of the data and critical revision. AB contributed to the study conception and design, contributed to the analysis and interpretation of the data, and contributed to critical revision. FTF wrote the manuscript, contributed to the study conception and design, contributed to the analysis and interpretation of the data, and contributed to critical revision.

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Correspondence to Fernando Tadeu Trevisan Frajacomo.

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da Silva, R.C., Chaves, G.V., Bergmann, A. et al. Assessment of myosteatosis and functionality in pretreatment gynecological cancer patients. Support Care Cancer 32, 339 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-024-08558-4

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