Comparison of the Prevalence and Characteristics Between EWGSOP1-and EWGSOP2-defined Sarcopenia in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Background Sarcopenia,as diagnosed by the former EWGSOP1 guidelines,was prevalent in cancer patients.The aim of this study was to examine the diagnostic capabilities of the previous and current guidelines,and to compare the clinicopathological features between patients diagnosed using the algorithms comprising the EWGSOP1 and EWGSOP2 guidelines.Methods We conducted a study including colorectal cancer patients from July 2014 to July 2019.The skeletal muscle mass,muscle attenuation,handgrip strength,and 6-meter usual gait speed were prospectively measured to define sarcopenia once patients were hospitalized.Results Of a total of 840 patients,160(19.0%)patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia based on the EWGSOP1 and 241(28.7%)patients were diagnosed based on the EWGSOP2.The numbers of patients diagnosed with sarcopenia and severe sarcopenia were much higher when the EWGSOP2 guidelines were used(160 vs.241 and 74 vs.140,respectively).The patients with EWGSOP2-defined sarcopenia showed a lower plasma albumin concentration(37.4 vs.36.4,P=0.039)but higher BMI(21.01 vs.22.22,P<0.001)than the patient diagnosed based on the EWGSOP1 guidelines.Conclusion The diagnosis of sarcopenia based on screening using the EWGSOP1 and EWGSOP2 guidelines differs considerably,at least in patients with colorectal cancer.In addition,the patients with EWGSOP2-diagnosed sarcopenia also showed a trend toward a lower plasma albumin level and higher BMI.

Exercise for Cancer Therapy

The number of new cancer cases in China is increasing rapidly,and China now ranks first in the world for the number of cancer patients.Traditional oncology treatment is based on surgery,radiotherapy and chemotherapy,but all three treatments are often accompanied by a poor quality of life,impaired physical function,and significant anxiety and depression.Exercise therapy can provide both prognostic improvement and a better quality of life for cancer patients,and can be adapted to serve patients at all stages from perioperative recovery to hospice.Although the impact of exercise alone is difficult to assess given the influence of lifestyle and other factors,data suggest that consistent exercise can improve the prognosis of cancer patients.Exercise enhances cardiopulmonary function,induces protein synthesis,improves physiological performance and increases physiological reserves;it also helps to improve the metabolic and immune functions,creating an anti-cancer environment in the body.An appropriate exercise plan can reduce adverse effects associated with cancer treatment,improve patients'physiological function,reduce fatigue and improve quality of life.Of note,exercise may also reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and metastasis.In recent years,exercise oncology has received increasing attention,thus,this article reviews the progress made in the clinical application of exercise therapy in oncology patients.