Changes in Weight and Body Composition among Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Cancer and its treatment affect the patient's nutritional status. Weight loss and changes in body composition following chemotherapy may affect clinical outcomes. In this prospective study, 139 cancer patients were included. Anthropometric measurements were performed using standardized equipment. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to assess body composition. Clinical data were obtained from the hospital database. Regardless of cancer type and stage, body mass index (BMI) and fat-free mass values decreased significantly four weeks after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), while fat mass and body fat percentage increased significantly. The proportion of patients with low BMI, reduced muscle mass, and sarcopenic obesity also significantly increased (9.4% vs. 11.5%, 16.7% vs. 33.3%, and 5.0% vs. 21.7%, respectively). Approximately, 62% of patients experienced weight loss. Men were significantly more likely than women to have reduced muscle mass. Non-overweight patients had higher odds of losing weight and muscle mass than their overweight-obese counterparts. Similarly, colorectal cancer patients were 2.14 times more likely to experience moderate/severe weight loss than other patients. However, women with breast or uterine cancer were less likely to have reduced muscle mass than patients with other cancer types. Weight loss, reduced muscle mass, and sarcopenic obesity were common in our study population. Our findings suggest that NAC may increase the risk of malnutrition and that early nutritional interventions are required to prevent weight loss and body composition changes in cancer patients.