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Prognostic significance of myopenia and nutritional status in nasopharyngeal cancer: introducing the TEMA index
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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 |
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Abstract: (11 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. |
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| Keywords: Nasopharyngeal cancer, myopenia, temporal muscle thickness, albumin, TEMA. |
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Full-Text [PDF 955 kb]
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Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Radiation Biology
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