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:: Volume 24, Issue 3 (7-2026) ::
Int J Radiat Res 2026, 24(3): 655-662 Back to browse issues page
Prognostic significance of myopenia and nutritional status in nasopharyngeal cancer: introducing the TEMA index
T. Koca , D.A. Çetmi , R.A. Aksoy , A.F. Korcum
Department of Radiation Oncology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey , timurkoca3@gmail.com
Abstract:   (642 Views)
Background: This study investigates whether temporal muscle thickness (TMT) has prognostic significance in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Additionally, it introduces a novel composite index, TEMA, which integrates TMT and serum albumin levels to enhance prognostic stratification. Materials and Methods: The study retrospectively encompassed 61 NPC patients receiving definitive therapy during the period January 2014–October 2024. TMT was extracted from computed tomography (CT) scans, and serum albumin (g/dL) was measured from blood specimens collected immediately before definitive treatment commenced. The novel TEMA index was defined as: TEMA = TMT × serum albumin. Results: Patients were aged 18–88 years (median, 49). The follow-up duration varied from 4 to 129 months with a median of 45 months. In univariate analyses, albumin significantly predicted progression-free survival (PFS) (p = 0.02), while overall survival (OS) showed significant associations with albumin (p = 0.006), TMT (p = 0.016), and TEMA index (p = 0.017). Conclusion: In patients with NPC treated with definitive intent, TMT and serum albumin showed significant associations with OS. A composite index that integrates these biomarkers (e.g., TEMA) may facilitate treatment decision-making and risk/prognostic stratification.
Keywords: Nasopharyngeal cancer, myopenia, temporal muscle thickness, albumin, TEMA.
Full-Text [PDF 955 kb]   (197 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Original Research | Subject: Radiation Biology
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Koca T, Çetmi D, Aksoy R, Korcum A. Prognostic significance of myopenia and nutritional status in nasopharyngeal cancer: introducing the TEMA index. Int J Radiat Res 2026; 24 (3) :655-662
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Volume 24, Issue 3 (7-2026) Back to browse issues page
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