Combined Sarcopenia and Inflammation Linked to 14.6-Fold Higher Mortality in Head and Neck Cancer

In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, combined sarcopenia and inflammation was associated with a 14.6-fold higher risk of death (HR 14.56, p<0.001) in a meta-analysis of 26 studies (22,408 patients). Sarcopenia alone doubled mortality risk.

• Systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 studies (22,408 patients, 85.5% male) with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
• Sarcopenia alone: overall survival HR=1.89 (p<0.001), disease-free survival HR=2.01 (p<0.001). Combined sarcopenia-inflammation: overall survival HR=14.56, disease-free survival HR=5.92 (both p<0.001).
• Key limitation: lack of standardized imaging diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia across studies; moderate heterogeneity.

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