Retrospective analysis of skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) as a prognostic factor in head and neck carcinoma

Introduction The prognosis of cancer patients depends on various factors. A reduced skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) is a marker of poorer survival in cancer patients. SMI is usually determined at the third lumbar vertebra (L3) and in the cervical region at the 3rd cervical vertebra (C3) by computed tomography (CT). The measurement is not routinely performed in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We retrospectively determined the SMI of cervical and abdominal CT scans in patients with hypopharyngeal and laryngeal carcinomas and used it to predict their overall survival.