Key clinical point: Low skeletal muscle area (SMA) and high visceral to total fat ratio were associated with worse outcomes in patients with nonmetastatic colon cancer who presented for elective resection.
Major finding: The risk for 5-year cancer recurrence after surgery was significantly higher in patients with low SMA (hazard ratio [HR], 2.30; P = .04) and high visceral to total fat ratio (HR, 5.78; P = .02). Even the risk of developing a 30-day infective complication was significantly higher in patients with low SMA (odds ratio [OR], 2.13; P = .004) and high visceral to total fat ratio (OR, 3.20; P = .01).
Study details: Findings are from a translational cohort study including 28 patients with nonmetastatic colon cancer presenting for elective resection. Included patients had no underlying chronic inflammatory disorders and were not receiving anti-inflammatory drugs.
Disclosures: This study received no funding. No conflict of interests was reported.
Source: Fleming CA et al. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Aug 30. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.15274.