Sarcopenia does not limit overall survival in patients with colorectal liver metastases undergoing interstitial brachytherapy

Purpose Several studies report an association of sarcopenia with survival in oncologic patients. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of sarcopenia on overall survival (OS) in patients with colorectal liver metastases undergoing interstitial brachytherapy (iBT) Methods We identified 144 patients with colorectal liver metastases from our database from 2014-2017. Computed tomography (CT) chest scans at the L3 level were retrospectively analyzed. Psoas muscle area (PMA), psoas muscle index (PMI), and skeletal muscle gauge (SMG) were measured on the CT scan before treatment. Parameters were associated with overall survival. Results 116 patients were included. Median overall survival was 27 months. Median PMA was 13.79 cm(2), median PMI 4.51 cm(2)/m(2). Neither PMA (HR 1.036, 95 % CI 0.996-1.078, p = 0.080), PMI (HR 1.068, 95 % CI 0.922-1.238, p = 0.382), nor SMG (HR 1.00, 95 % CI 0.998-1.003, p = 0.955) were significantly associated with overall survival. Conclusion Sarcopenic patients undergoing iBT for colorectal liver metastases did not show decreased overall survival. If confirmed by comparative studies, sarcopenia may serve as a biomarker for treatment decision in patients with CRLM.