Patterns, Predictors, and Prognostic Value of Skeletal Muscle Mass Loss in Patients with Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Undergoing Cisplatin-Based Chemoradiotherapy

Low skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is associated with toxicities and decreased survival in head and neck cancer (HNC). Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) may exaggerate loss of SMM. We investigated the changes in SMM, their predictors, and prognostic impact of SMM in patients treated with CRT between 2012 and 2018. Skeletal muscle area (SMA) segmentation was performed on pre- and post-CRT imaging. Observed changes in SMM were categorized into: (I) Stable, (II) moderate gain (III), moderate loss, (IV) large gain, and (V) large loss. In total, 235 HNC patients were included, of which 39% had stable SMM, 55% moderate loss, 13% moderate gain, 0.4% large loss, and 0.4% large gain of SMM. After CRT, SMA decreased compared to pre-CRT (31.6 cm² versus 33.3 cm², p < 0.01). The key predictor was a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m² (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.4-9.3, p < 0.01). Low SMM at diagnosis (HR 2.1; 95% CI 1.1-4.1, p = 0.03) and an HPV-positive oropharyngeal tumor (HR 0.1; 95% CI 0.01-0.9, p = 0.04) were prognostic for overall survival. Changes in SMM were not prognostic for survival. Loss of SMM is highly prevalent after CRT and a high BMI before treatment may aid in identifying patients at risk.