Sarcopenia is an evolving concept defined by the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass. Decreased muscle mass is a component of frailty and has been shown to be predictive of poor outcomes in oncologic settings.
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Dr. Angela Smith and colleagues in the UNC Department of Urology, therefore, sought to measure sarcopenia by preoperative CT scan in cystectomy patients, a vulnerable patient population with multiple co-morbidities.
As the first researchers to evaluate sarcopenia in the cystectomy population, they found that those with sarcopenia had an over 2-fold risk of postoperative major complications, most striking among female patients. Further research is necessary to corroborate these findings in a larger study, but Dr. Smith hopes that sarcopenia may be a useful adjunct to recognize patients at highest risk for postoperative complications, thereby identifying those who may benefit from a less aggressive treatment approach.
A highlight of the research can be found in Nature Reviews Urology.
Abstract of the full article in the Journal of Urology can be found in PubMed.