Prognostic value of skeletal muscle density change of L3 vertebra in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated
with radiotherapy and chemotherapy
1Nie Xinyu,2Yang Ningjing,2Lyu Jiahua,2Liu Yudi,1 2Li Tao
1Department of Oncology School of Clinical Medicine Southwest Medical University Luzhou 646000 Sichuan China
2
Sichuan
Cancer Hospital and Research Institute Sichuan Cancer Prevention Center Cancer Hospital Affiliated to University of Electronic Science
and Technology of China Chengdu 610000 Sichuan China
Abstract：Objective To investigate the correlation between skeletal muscle density SMD of L
radiotherapy and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ESCC . Method This study was a
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and after
study of
patients diagnosed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma between March 2012 and November 2018. The skeletal muscle density of
L3
cone skeletal muscle area of L3
cone subcutaneous fat area of L3
cone and visceral fat area of L3
cone were measured before and
after radiotherapy. Hazard ratios were used to assess the association between changes in SMD and overall survival OS before and after
radiotherapy. Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox proportional risk model were used for survival analysis. Result Among 258 patients with
esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 162 patients in the L3 pyramidal subcutaneous skeletal muscle density increase group after
radiotherapy were followed for a median of 22. 4 months ranging from 3. 3 to 92. 4 months . Through univariate Cox proportional risk
analysis we found that changes in SMD age ≥60 years and tumor length after radiotherapy were independent prognostic factors
affecting overall survival P< 0. 05 . Conclusion Changes in subcutaneous skeletal muscle density before and after radiotherapy can be
used as a prognostic biomarker for overall survival in ESCC patients.
