Prognostic impact of preoperative osteosarcopenia on esophageal cancer surgery outcomes: a retrospective analysis.

Abstract

Background: Osteosarcopenia, recognized as a consequence of aging, has garnered attention as a prognostic marker in recent years; however, its clinical significance in esophageal cancer remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the impact of osteosarcopenia on esophageal cancer surgery outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients with advanced esophageal cancer who underwent surgical resection between 2018 and 2021. Skeletal muscle index at the L3 vertebral level and bone density at the Th11 vertebral level were measured on preoperative computed tomography scans. Based on the findings, we divided patients into sarcopenia, osteopenia, and osteosarcopenia groups, and analyzed the relationship between osteosarcopenia and clinicopathological factors, including prognosis.

Results: Of the 124 patients included, 59 (48%) were diagnosed with osteosarcopenia. Among all, 46 (37%) patients experienced postoperative recurrence, and a significant correlation was observed between osteosarcopenia and recurrence (p < 0.05). Overall survival and relapse-free survival were significantly shorter in the osteosarcopenia group than in the non-osteosarcopenia group (p < 0.05 for both). In a subgroup analysis, overall survival and relapse-free survival were significantly shorter in the osteosarcopenia group than in the non-osteosarcopenia group, or in the sarcopenia and osteopenia alone groups (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The presence of preoperative osteosarcopenia was found to affect the prognosis following esophageal cancer surgery.