Prognostic impact of myosteatosis in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing curative surgery: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is a global health concern, and identifying prognostic factors can improve outcomes. Myosteatosis is fat infiltration into muscles and is a potential predictor of the survival of patients with CRC.MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the prognostic role of myosteatosis in CRC. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched up to 1 August 2023, for relevant studies, using combinations of the keywords CRC, myosteatosis, skeletal muscle fat infiltration, and low skeletal muscle radiodensity. Case–control, prospective, and retrospective cohort studies examining the association between myosteatosis and CRC outcomes after curative intent surgery were eligible for inclusion. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS).ResultsA total of 10 studies with a total of 9,203 patients were included. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for OS (myosteatosis vs. no myosteatosis) was 1.52 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.38–1.67); for CSS, 1.67 (95% CI, 1.40–1.99); and for DFS, 1.89 (95% CI, 1.35–2.65).ConclusionIn patients with CRC undergoing curative intent surgery, myosteatosis is associated with worse OS, CSS, and DFS. These findings underscore the importance of evaluating myosteatosis in patients with CRC to improve outcomes.