Evaluaci\'on del Cambio en la Musculatura y Adiposidad y su Relaci\'on con la Recurrencia del Carcinoma de Cabeza y Cuello mediante PET/CT y MRI

TL;DR

This study explores how changes in muscle and fat tissue, monitored through PET/CT and MRI, relate to recurrence risk in head and neck cancer patients, highlighting the prognostic value of body composition alterations.

Contribution

It introduces a combined assessment approach of muscle and adipose tissue changes using advanced imaging to predict recurrence in head and neck cancer patients.

Findings

Increased adiposity index post-radiotherapy correlates with higher recurrence.

Muscle loss combined with adipose gain indicates lowest survival.

Monitoring body composition can improve prognosis assessment.

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of changes in body composition and follow-up imaging modalities on recurrence and prognosis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The results indicate that an increase in the adiposity index post-radiotherapy is significantly associated with higher recurrence and mortality rates. Additionally, the combined evaluation of muscle and adipose status reveals that patients with muscle loss and adipose gain have the lowest survival probabilities and the highest risk of recurrence. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring adiposity and muscle status, as well as the strategic use of advanced imaging techniques such as PET/CT, MRI, and CT. However, this work represents a preliminary analysis, and further detailed studies are necessary to confirm these results and develop more effective strategies.