Sarcopenia Development During Neoadjuvant Therapy Spells Trouble for Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Patients

This study explored how sarcopenia, muscle loss often seen in cancer patients, impacts outcomes for esophageal adenocarcinoma patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy. Among 71 patients, those who developed sarcopenia before surgery had significantly worse overall survival compared to those who were sarcopenic at diagnosis or experienced no change in muscle status. The cause of death in many cases was not cancer-related. Developing sarcopenia during neoadjuvant therapy could be a negative predictor of overall survival in patients requiring esophagogastrectomy.