Adolescent and young adult Hodgkin lymphoma patients at risk for subcutaneous fat gain during early cancer treatment: a brief report

Abstract

Computed tomography scans were assessed for subcutaneous fat area and density at thoracic vertebra 4 in 65 adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. Subcutaneous fat was quantified over 3 timepoints; (1) baseline, (2) end of initial anthracycline treatment (EOT) and (3) 1 year. Fat area increased at EOT (62.3 ± 5.4 cm/m² vs 53.5 ± 5.0 cm/m², p < 0.01) and 1 year (65.8 ± 5.6 cm/m² vs 53.5 ± 5.0 cm/m², p < 0.01) compared to baseline. Fat density significantly decreased at EOT (-91.2 ± 1.4 HU vs −86.5 ± 1.4 HU, p < 0.01) and at 1 year (-90.3 ± 1.6 HU vs −86.5 ± 1.4 HU, p = 0.01) compared to baseline. Female, radiation receiving, and anthracycline dosage >250mg/m²subgroups experienced significant fat gain (p < 0.05 for all). Female AYA Hodgkin lymphoma patients receiving radiation, and/or high-dose anthracyclines may be at higher risk of subcutaneous fat gain during therapy.

Keywords:

• Adolescent and young adult cancer
• Hodgkin lymphoma
• subcutaneous fat

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Harry S. Moss Heart Trust Fund and the MD Anderson Cancer. Survivorship Seed Fund. Dr. Wooten is partially supported by The Alan Ryden and The Sanders Pediatric Sarcoma Endowment Funds. The Sanders Pediatric Sarcoma Research Fund; MD Anderson Cancer Survivorship Seed Fund; Alan Ryden Pediatric Osteosarcoma Research Fund;