The Effects of Sarcopenia on Overall Survival and Postoperative Complications of Patients Undergoing Hepatic Resection for Primary or Metastatic Liver Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, and 20–30% of patients will develop liver metastases (CRLM) during their lifetime. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is also one of the most common cancers worldwide with increasing incidence. Hepatic resection represents the most effective treatment approach for both CRLM and HCC. Recently, sarcopenia has gained popularity as a prognostic index in order to assess the perioperative risk of hepatectomies. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of sarcopenia on the overall survival (OS), complication rates and mortality of patients undergoing liver resections for HCC or CRLM. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed for studies including patients undergoing hepatectomy for HCC or CRLM, and a meta-analysis of the data was performed. Results: Sarcopenic patients had a significantly lower 5-year OS compared to non-sarcopenic patients (43.8% vs. 63.6%, respectively; p < 0.01) and a significantly higher complication rate (35.4% vs. 23.1%, respectively; p = 0.002). Finally, no statistical correlation was found in mortality between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients (p > 0.1). Conclusions: Sarcopenia was significantly associated with decreased 5-year OS and increased morbidity, but no difference was found with regard to postoperative mortality.