# Sex-specific prognostic value of triceps skinfold thickness and albumin in pancreatic cancer

## TL;DR

The study found that changes in body fat and albumin levels over six months are linked to survival in pancreatic cancer patients, with different patterns for males and females.

## Contribution

The study introduces sex-specific prognostic models using triceps skinfold thickness and albumin in pancreatic cancer.

## Key findings

- Reduced triceps skinfold thickness over six months is linked to shorter survival in males.
- Lower baseline albumin and greater albumin decline are associated with poorer outcomes in females.
- Changes in triceps skinfold thickness, albumin, and protein levels predict survival after chemotherapy.

## Abstract

This study evaluated how triceps skinfold thickness, reflecting body fat, and serum albumin levels, indicating nutritional status, relate to overall survival in patients with pancreatic cancer receiving chemotherapy. We prospectively evaluated 353 patients with pancreatic cancer, repeatedly measuring triceps skinfold thickness and serum albumin from baseline through follow-up. Survival was assessed through a six-month landmark analysis and sex-stratified evaluations. Changes in triceps skinfold thickness, albumin, and protein levels over six months, as well as baseline albumin levels, were independently associated with survival. Cancer stage, chemotherapy response, and six-month CA19-9 levels also contributed to prognosis. Sex-specific analyses showed that reduced triceps skinfold thickness over six months was linked to shorter survival in males, whereas lower baseline albumin levels and greater albumin decline were associated with poorer outcomes in females. These findings highlight the significant and sex-dependent association of triceps skinfold thickness and serum albumin with survival in pancreatic cancer.

•Prospective cohort links TSF and albumin dynamics to survival in pancreatic cancer•Six-month changes in TSF, albumin, and protein predict survival after chemotherapy•TSF loss predicts poor survival in males; albumin decline is key in females•Sex-specific nomograms with TSF and albumin stratify one-to three-year survival

Prospective cohort links TSF and albumin dynamics to survival in pancreatic cancer

Six-month changes in TSF, albumin, and protein predict survival after chemotherapy

TSF loss predicts poor survival in males; albumin decline is key in females

Sex-specific nomograms with TSF and albumin stratify one-to three-year survival

Health sciences; Medicine; Oncology