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Body weight changes in patients undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer influence progression-free and overall survival

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether body weight changes in patients undergoing chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) influence progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Methods

An analysis of 190 patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer after first-line chemotherapy was conducted. Changes in body weight were assessed by comparing measurements at baseline to those of the third and sixth cycles of chemotherapy. PFS and OS were calculated with the Kaplan–Meier method and multivariate Cox model.

Results

Significant reduction in body weight in advanced EOC was observed with no changes in early EOC. Significant differences in PFS were observed in advanced EOC patients that lost more than 5 % of their body weight (6 months), maintained weight (13 months), or gained more than 5 % of their body weight (15 months). Similarly, significant differences in OS were noted in advanced EOC at the following time points: 24.3, 42.4, and 66.2 months. No effect was reported for early EOC patients. The multivariate Cox analysis showed significant body weight changes from the first to the sixth chemotherapy cycle for PFS (HR = 0.97; 95 % CI 0.95–0.99) and OS (HR = 0.94; 95 % CI 0.91–0.97) as well as from the first to the third chemotherapy cycle for OS (HR = 0.93; 95 % CI 0.88–0.98).

Conclusions

Body weight changes can be recognized as a prognostic factor for PFS and OS in advanced EOC patients undergoing chemotherapy. Weight loss is associated with poorer survival while weight gain improved outcomes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr. Robert Tower for the English correction of the manuscript.

Author’s contributions

MM was responsible for the data collection, data analysis, and writing the manuscript. MSM was responsible for the data analysis and writing the manuscript. RM was responsible for the data collection and critically reviewed the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szamarzewskiego Str 82/84, 60-569, Poznan, Poland

    Marcin Mardas & Radosław Madry

  2. Department of Human Nutrition and Hygiene, Poznan University of Life Science, Wojska Polskiego Str 28, 60-637, Poznan, Poland

    Marcin Mardas

  3. Department of Epidemiology, German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke, Arthur-Scheunert Allee 114-116, 14558, Nuthetal, Germany

    Marta Stelmach-Mardas

  4. Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Metabolic Disorders, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna Str 27/33, 60-572, Poznan, Poland

    Marta Stelmach-Mardas

Authors
  1. Marcin Mardas
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  2. Marta Stelmach-Mardas
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  3. Radosław Madry
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marta Stelmach-Mardas.

Ethics declarations

The protocol of the study was approved by the local Bioethical Committee, which is associated with Poznan University of Medical Sciences (nr 399/15).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Mardas, M., Stelmach-Mardas, M. & Madry, R. Body weight changes in patients undergoing chemotherapy for ovarian cancer influence progression-free and overall survival. Support Care Cancer 25, 795–800 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3462-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3462-1

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