PP006 - CHANGES IN BODY COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS DURING NEOADJUVANT THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH OESOPHAGEAL CANCER RECEIVING JEJUNOSTOMY FEEDING

PP006

CHANGES IN BODY COMPOSITION AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS DURING NEOADJUVANT THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH OESOPHAGEAL CANCER RECEIVING JEJUNOSTOMY FEEDING

A. O'Driscoll^1,2,*, R. Lee³, L. DeKock³, A. O'Connor⁴, M. Maher³, T. Murphy^2,4

¹Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Mercy University Hospital, ²College of Medicine and Health, ³Department of Radiology, University College Cork, ⁴Department of Surgery, Mercy University Hospital, Cork, Ireland

Rationale: Jejunostomy feeding is used to provide enteral nutrition during neoadjuvant therapy for oesophageal cancer when patients are unable to maintain adequate nutritional intake. This study aimed to describe the body composition and nutritional status of patients before and after neoadjuvant therapy supported by jejunostomy feeding. 

Methods: A retrospective study of patients, with resectable oesophageal cancer, who received jejunostomy feeding, prior to neoadjuvant treatment, was performed from 2020 - 2025. Body composition was assessed using axial CT images at the mid L3 vertebral level on diagnosis and on restaging following the completion of neoadjuvant treatment. Low skeletal mass was defined using sex and Body Mass Index (BMI)-specific cut-offs. Nutritional status was assessed using GLIM criteria

Results: Thirty-eight patients were identified. 74% were male; mean BMI was 25.63 ± 5.19kg/m². Mean time between staging and restaging scans was 111 ± 40 days. Low skeletal muscle mass was identified in 44.7% of patients at diagnosis and 50% following treatment (49.26 ±8.84 vs 45.38 ±.11 cm²/m², p<0.01). Significant reduction in right and left psoas muscles area was observed (9.7 ± 3.29 vs 8.6 ± 3.1 cm²/m², p<0.01 and 10.31 ± 2.89 vs 9.34 ± 2.87 cm/m², p=0.001). Subcutaneous fat area significantly reduced (189.5±136.8 vs 163.02±136.12cm/m²). Mean weight loss was 4.04kg (73.8 ±15.86 vs 71.1 ± 15.63kg, p=0.003). Moderate/severe malnutrition was identified in 92% pre-treatment and 71% post treatment

Conclusion: Malnutrition and low skeletal muscle mass are highly prevalent at presentation among patients with resectable oesophageal cancer. Whilst malnutrition improved there was progressive muscle loss following neoadjuvant treatment despite nutrition support with jejunostomy feeding. These finding support routine evaluation of muscle mass during neoadjuvant therapy.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared