Weight Loss Associated with Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer

Abstract

Background: We examined whether the weight loss that occurs with platinum-based chemotherapy in lung cancer patients is associated with chemotherapy side effects, treatment completion rates and therapeutic effect. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed charts of advanced lung cancer patients treated with ≥2 cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on ≥5 or <5% weight loss. Relationships between weight loss and other variables were investigated. Results: Among 114 patients, 18 (15.8%) experienced ≥5% weight loss. Significantly more patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) than with non-SCLC were found to have ≥5% weight loss (30.8 vs. 11.4%, p = 0.023). Patients with ≥5% weight loss experienced higher incidences of grade 3-4 leukopenia (p = 0.008) and neutropenia (p = 0.005), and treatment completion rates were lower in this group (p = 0.035). Weight loss was not significantly associated with therapeutic effect. Conclusion: The weight loss in patients with advanced lung cancer receiving platinum-based chemotherapy is associated with SCLC, grade 3-4 leukopenia, neutropenia and a decrease in treatment completion rate.