Markers of sarcopenia quantified by computed tomography predict adverse long-term outcome in patients with resected oesophageal or gastro-oesophageal junction cancer

Objectives

To assess the impact of sarcopenia and alterations in body composition parameters (BCPs) on survival after surgery for oesophageal and gastro-oesophageal junction cancer (OC).

Methods

200 consecutive patients who underwent resection for OC between 2006 and 2013 were selected. Preoperative CTs were used to assess markers of sarcopenia and body composition (total muscle area [TMA], fat-free mass index [FFMi], fat mass index [FMi], subcutaneous, visceral and retrorenal fat [RRF], muscle attenuation). Cox regression was used to assess the primary outcome parameter of overall survival (OS) after surgery.

Results

130 patients (65 %) had sarcopenia based on preoperative CT examinations. Sarcopenic patients showed impaired survival compared to non-sarcopenic individuals (hazard ratio [HR] 1.87, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.15–3.03, p?=?0.011). Furthermore, low skeletal muscle attenuation (HR 1.91, 95 % CI 1.12–3.28, p?=?0.019) and increased FMi (HR 3.47, 95 % CI 1.27–9.50, p?=?0.016) were associated with impaired outcome. In the multivariate analysis, including a composite score (CSS) of those three parameters and clinical variables, only CSS, T-stage and surgical resection margin remained significant predictors of OS.

Conclusion

Patients who show signs of sarcopenia and alterations in BCPs on preoperative CT images have impaired long-term outcome after surgery for OC.

Key Points

? Sarcopenia is associated with impaired OS after surgery for oesophageal cancer.? Other body composition parameters are also associated with impaired survival.? This influence on survival is independent of established clinical parameters.? Sarcopenia provides a better estimation of cachexia than BMI.? Sarcopenia assessment could be considered in risk/benefit stratification before oesophagectomy.

     

Unexpected low incidence of vertebral fractures in heart transplant recipients: analysis of bone turnover.

Heart transplantation (HTX) is associated with a reduction in bone mineral density (BMD). Different markers of bone metabolism have been used, and the applied immunosuppressive regimens have also changed over time. This study was performed to re-investigate bone metabolism in HTX recipients. Twenty-five HTX recipients were compared with 25 HTX candidates in respect of biochemical parameters of bone metabolism, BMD, and the frequency of fractures for 1 year. Osteopenia or osteoporosis was observed in approximately two-thirds of the HTX recipients. Nevertheless, only three (12%) HTX recipients developed a vertebral fracture within 1 year after transplantation; no peripheral fractures occurred. Compared with HTX candidates, HTX recipients had lower serum levels of osteocalcin, and higher serum levels of cross-linked-N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX). In HTX recipients, osteocalcin initially reached a nadir, increased during the first 3 months, and decreased thereafter. Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase initially increased and then decreased. Serum levels of NTX and parathyroid hormone remained high throughout the year. Despite a high bone turnover, an unexpectedly low rate of vertebral fractures was registered. Nevertheless, each fragility fracture is a serious complication and we need to take steps to prevent this complication.     

Stromal expression of carbonic anhydrase IX in esophageal cancer

Purpose

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), a transmembrane glycoprotein, is known as an endogenous marker for hypoxia. Overexpressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts, CA IX has been reported to be associated with a poor outcome for a number of malignant tumors. Aim of this study was to investigate the role of CA IX in the tumor surrounding stroma of esophageal cancer.

Methods/patients

Stromal expression of CA IX in 361 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of invasive esophageal cancers, 206 adenocarcinoma (AC) and 155 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), was investigated.

Results

In 42 cases (11.6 %), CA IX expression in the tumor surrounding stroma (AC 23 and SCC 19) was observed. Expression of CA IX correlated with the factors tumor stage (p < 0.001) and lymph node status (p = 0.008). Patients with CA IX expressed in the tumor surrounding stroma had a significant shorter disease-free survival (p = 0.007) and overall survival (p = 0.013).

Conclusion

In esophageal cancer, CA IX-expressing tumor stroma is associated with shorter survival. Inhibition of the tyrosine kinase CA IX might represent a new onset for therapies against esophageal cancer.     

Impact of sarcopenia on outcome in patients with esophageal resection following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for esophageal cancer

Background

Nutritional status and body composition parameters such as sarcopenia are important risk factors for impaired outcome in patients with esophageal cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sarcopenia on long-term outcome after esophageal resection following neoadjuvant treatment.

Ineffective Esophageal Motility in Patients with GERD is no Contraindication for Nissen Fundoplication

Background

Patients with preoperative ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) are thought to be at increased risk for postoperative dysphagia leading to the recommendations for tailoring or avoiding anti-reflux surgery in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate if IEM has an influence on postoperative outcome after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF).

Methods

Seventy-two consecutive patients with IEM underwent LNF and were case-matched with 72 patients without IEM based on sex, age, BMI, HH size, total pH percentage time, total number of reflux episodes and the presence of BE. Standardized interview assessing postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms, proton pump inhibitor intake, GERD-health-related-quality-of-life (GERD-HRQL), alimentary satisfaction and patients’ overall satisfaction was evaluated.

Results

Although a higher rate of preoperative dysphagia was observed in patients with IEM (29% IEM vs. 11% no IEM, p = 0.007), there was no significant difference in rates of dysphagia postoperatively (2 IEM vs. 1 no IEM, p = 0.559). Furthermore, no distinction was found in the postoperative outcome regarding symptom relief, quality of life, gas bloating syndrome, ability to belch and/or vomit or revision surgery between the two groups.

Conclusion

Although preoperative IEM has an influence on GERD presentation, it has no effect on postoperative outcome after LNF. IEM should not be a cause for avoiding LNF, as is has been shown as the most effective and safe anti-reflux treatment.