Capacitance of Membrane As a Prognostic Indicator of Survival in Head and Neck Cancer.
BACKGROUND
Evaluation of prognostic value of capacitance of membrane (Cm), parameter measured by bioelectrical impedance (BIA) as an alternative to known clinical factors in patients with Head and Neck Cancer (HNC).


METHODS
A cohort of 75 stage IIIB and IV HNC patients treated in Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Lublin, Poland were prospectively evaluated. Cm measurements were performed in all patients using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer that was set on a frequency of 50 kHz. Results of Cm measurements were presented in nF. Survival differences were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method.


RESULTS
Significantly higher Cm median was noted in well-nourished(n = 45) compared to malnourished (n = 30) patients (1.41 vs 1.01 respectively; p = 0.0009). Established in ROC curves analysis cut-off value (0.743) was characterized by 98% specificity and 37% sensitivity in the detection of malnutrition. Median overall survival (mOS) in the cohort was 32months. At the time of analysis deaths were recorded in 47 cases (62.7%). In patients who had Cm below the level of 0.743 risk of OS shortening was significantly higher than in other patients (12.1 and 43.4 months respectively; HR = 8.47, 95%CI: 2.91-24.66; χ2 = 15.38, p = 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Cm is a strong, independent prognostic factor in head and neck cancer.
Human Physiology Department, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
Teresa
T
Małecka-Massalska
Human Physiology Department, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
Radosław
R
Mlak
Department of Epidemiology and Methodology of Clinical Research, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
Agata
A
Smoleń
Oncology Department, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
Anna
A
Brzozowska
Institute of Electronics and Information Technology, Technical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
Wojciech
W
Surtel
Department of Epidemiology and Methodology of Clinical Research, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
Kamal
K
Morshed
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D025802:Electric Capacitance; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012372:ROC Curve; D016019:Survival Analysis