Assessment of malnutrition by unintentional weight loss and its implications on oncologic outcomes in patient with locally advanced cervical cancer receiving primary chemoradiation

Objectives: To determine the prevalence, risk factors for, and clinical implications of unintentional weight loss on oncologic outcomes in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) treated with concurrent chemotherapy and contemporary radiation techniques. Methods: This a single-institution, retrospective cohort study of patients with LACC who received definitive chemoradiation (CRT) from 2010 to 2015. Clinicopathologic factors were abstracted by chart review and characterized using descriptive statistics. Factors associated with severe weight loss (≥10% from baseline) were determined by Chi-square test. Time-to-event analysis was performed using the Kaplan Meier method and regression was performed using the Cox Proportional hazards model. Results: One hundred and eight patients comprised the cohort. The majority of patients were White, obese, and had squamous histology. Almost 80% of patients experienced at least some weight loss, with 14% of patients experiencing severe weight loss. Patients with FIGO 2009 stage 3 or 4 disease had a 3.4-fold increased risk of severe weight loss compared to those with earlier stage disease. Patients who had severe weight loss had a higher risk for death (HR = 2.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.77, 7.37, p = 0.036) and a trend toward high risk for recurrence (HR = 1.43, 95% CI 0.46, 3.32, p = 0.107) compared to patients without severe weight loss. Conclusion: Unintentional weight loss is a common symptom of patients with LACC receiving CRT that affects oncologic outcomes, yet it remains under-recognized. Increased awareness of weight loss and malnutrition may encourage interventions to improve this potentially modifiable risk factor for worse prognosis and quality of life.