Does Sarcopenia Affect Outcome in Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Harboring EGFR Mutations?

AIM: To evaluate gefitinib outcomes in EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients harboring EGFR mutations, according to their sarcopenia status. PATIENTS & METHODS: for men, and nonsarcopenic patients. RESULTS: Sarcopenia does not affect response to gefitinib treatment in EGFR mutated NSCLC patients, even if it is a bad prognostic indicator for overall survival (p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Early recognition of sarcopenia is beneficial for prevention of cancer cachexia and detection of patients at potential risk of serious adverse events. Gefitinib dosage should be reduced and modulated in sarcopenic patients.