Prediction of intestinal tumor involvement by parameters of nutritional status in patients with primary / recurrent ovarian cancer

Introduction: Global malnutrition is widespread among patients with ovarian cancer. The objective of this prospective study was to investigate the influence of tumor localisation and stage on nutritional status of patients with ovarian cancer. Material/ Methods: Between 04.2007 and 03.2008, 75 patients were documented. 29 (39%) of them had primary and 46 (61%) recurrent disease. At the time of admission for surgical therapy, the body composition was analysed with Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) using phase angle α and ratio of ExtraCellular Mass and Body Cell Mass (ECM/BCM). Serum protein parameters were registered. The risk of malnutrition was estimated by Nutritional Risk Score (NRS). During operation a standardised documentation script (IMO) was performed including intestinal involvement and surgical interventions. Nutritional parameters were correlated with IMO-parameters. Results: The median age of patients was 57 with median BMI 24.6kg/m²(21.7–27.5). In 21% primary and 15% recurrent cases high nutritional risk was documented (NRS≥ 3). In those patients the serum albumin, pre-albumin, transferrin levels were lower compared to patients with NRS<3 (p<0.05). There was a negative correlation between phase angle α as well as ECM/BCM and FIGO stage in patients with primary diagnosis. In patients who needed surgical resection of small or large intestine, phase angle α and serum albumin level were significantly lower than in patients with no intestinal involvement (p<0.05). Conclusion: Independent of tumor stage, preoperative evaluation of nutritional status with BIA especially phase angle α, is a valid method to predict intestinal tumor involvement in patients with ovarian cancer.

This project was financially supported by the Berliner Krebsgesellschaft e.V. and Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH.