Psoas mass index at the level of the third lumbar vertebra on computed tomography is a prognostic predictor for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer

Int J Clin Oncol. 2024 Jun;29(6):840-846. doi: 10.1007/s10147-024-02514-2. Epub 2024 Apr 8.

Abstract

Background: Computed tomography-defined low skeletal muscle mass is associated with oncological outcomes in patients with prostate cancer. However, its association with the outcomes of hormone-treated metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer remains unclear. We aimed to determine the association between metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer and psoas muscle parameters.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 121 patients with N1 and/or M1 metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer who underwent primary androgen deprivation therapy between 2005 and 2021, either by administration of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist/antagonist or by surgical castration accompanied by bicalutamide, a first-generation antiandrogen. Before treatment administration, the psoas muscle index at the level of the third lumbar vertebra (psoas muscle area [cm2]/height2 [m2]) and the mean Hounsfield units of the psoas muscle were evaluated using non-contrast computed tomography and in relation to oncological outcomes.

Results: The median follow-up was 56.9 months. Furthermore, during follow-up, 82 (67.7%) and 53 (43.8%) patients progressed to castration-resistant prostate cancer and died, respectively. Multivariate analysis of castration-resistant prostate cancer-free survival and overall survival showed significant differences in the Gleason score, clinical N-stage, and psoas muscle index (median cutoff: 3.044 cm2/m2).

Conclusions: Pretreatment psoas muscle index is an independent predictor of poor castration-resistant prostate cancer-free survival and overall survival in patients with N1 and/or M1 metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer.

Keywords: Castration; Metastatic prostate cancer; Psoas mass index.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Androgen Antagonists* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae* / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / diagnostic imaging
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / drug therapy
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / pathology
  • Psoas Muscles* / diagnostic imaging
  • Psoas Muscles* / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Substances

  • Androgen Antagonists