Clinical and nutritional characteristics on overall survival impact in patients with gastrointestinal cancer

Background and aims: Weight loss is present in most cancer patients, being even more frequent in gastrointestinal tract tumors (GIT). Malnourished patients may be at greater toxicity risk during treatment, which may interfere with survival. Tumor-triggered hypercatabolism can lead to impaired nutritional status. In addition, other factors such as the presence of nutritional impact symptoms (NIS) can lead to decrease food consumption, influencing weight loss. The purpose of this study was verify nutritional status and understand which factors are related to survival and weight loss in patients with gastrointestinal tract cancers.

Methods: This study is a retrospective cross-sectional, with data collected from patient's medical records with the gastrointestinal tract cancers, between the years 2012-2019. Data were classified of tumor location, disease staging, weight change, number of nutritional impact symptoms and diet at the treatment beginning. Survival was calculated using the start of treatment and death dates.

Results: A total of 388 medical patient's records were analyzed, most of which presented weight loss (82.5%) with an average weight loss of 9.0 kg representing 12.2% of body weight. The main NIS presented by the patients were dry mouth, abdominal pain, constipation and esophagitis. According to predetermined groups, the highest weight loss percentages were for patients with stomach and pancreatic cancer, Stage 4, the presence of 3 or more NIS and enteral diet. The lowest survival and highest death risk were observed at the univariable analysis to patients that have the presence of 3 or more NIS 8.3 months and HR 1.51 (IC95% 1.1-2.1) and to the multivariable analysis, for patients with pancreatic cancer 4.8 months HR 3.13 (IC95% 1.9-5.2), stage IV 9.8 months and HR 4.8 (IC95% 1.7-13.2).

Conclusion: Tumor location, cancer stage and the presence of nutritional impact symptoms influenced weight loss and survival of oncologic patients.