Body mass index, weight loss and survival in advanced lung cancer: a review

Article: Associations between body mass index, weight loss and overall survival in patients with advanced lung cancer

For patients with advanced-stage cancer, weight loss and lower body mass index has been associated with shorter rates of survival. On the other hand, obesity has been associated with longer survival. Weight loss or cachexia could therefore be used as a prognostic tool, although it has not yet been studied much in clinical trials. It is predicted to be due to the fact that decreased muscle mass is a predictor of shortened survival, as well as lowered nutrient stores and activity level. However, further research is required into understanding weight loss in relation to cancer survival rates, especially in the context of therapies such as chemotherapy, as it is not fully known how this interacts with body mass.

This review by Oswalt C et al. aimed to explore the relationship between body mass index, weight loss and survival rates in advanced lung cancer.

Key learnings

Further research is needed into understanding how body mass index and weight loss may relate to advanced lung cancer, as well as other cancer and diseases in general. This may provide a useful prognostic tool as well as an insight into cachexia.

Reviewed by: Z. Beketova

Authors: Oswalt C, Liu Y, Pang H, et al.

Published in: Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle 2022