Factors analysis of weight loss during radiotherapy in patients with esophageal cancer

Objective To identify factors associated with weight loss during radiotherapy (RT) in patients with esophageal cancer.Methods One hundred and two esophageal cancer patients who received radiotherapy were enrolled as our subjects.Patients' weight,characteristics,dietary intake,tumor and treatment data,acute adverse effects were collected.Anderson Symptom Inventory was performed.Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to identify independent factors with weight loss during RT.Results The average weight loss during RT was (1.64 ± 0.69) kg,ranged from 0 to 5.00 kg.Multiple regression analysis showed that the weight loss was associated with lower dietary energy intake (x1),digestive adverse effect (x2),TNM stage (x3) and radiation dose(x4).The regression equitation was y =-0.182 + 0.142x1 + 0.245x2 + 0.210x3 +0.605x4.Conclusion Maintaining energy intake and preventing and treating digestive adverse effects are two important measurement in esophageal cancer patients during RT.