Skeletal muscle volume loss during transarterial chemoembolization predicts poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim Sarcopenia has a negative impact on the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the significance of skeletal muscle volume and its changes in HCC patients receiving transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Methods We retrospectively analyzed 179 HCC patients receiving TACE from 2006 to 2017. Skeletal mass index was calculated as the left–right sum of the major × minor axis of the psoas muscle at the third lumbar vertebra, divided by height squared (psoas muscle index PMI). Patients were classified into two groups (low and normal PMI) depending on an index <6.0 and <3.4 cm 2 /m 2 for men and women, respectively. We assessed overall survival (OS) and TACE period (between the first TACE Pre and the time of TACE refractoriness Post). Changes in PMI per month during the TACE period (CPMI; (PMI Pre − PMI Post) / TACE period) were calculated as an index of progressive muscle atrophy. Results There were no significant differences in OS between groups with low and normal PMI at Pre. Multivariate analysis showed that CPMI was significantly associated with poor OS (hazard ratio, 1.884; P = 0.001). Patients with severe muscle atrophy (CPMI above the upper quartile) had a significantly lower OS than those with mild muscle atrophy (CPMI below the upper quartile). Compared with patients with mild muscle atrophy, patients with severe muscle atrophy had a significant loss of liver function reserves at Post. Conclusion Progressive loss of skeletal muscle volume is an important predictor of poor prognosis in HCC patients treated with TACE.