9 / 21
Page 32
Volume 2
Journal of Molecular Cancer
Cancer & Primary Healthcare 2019
May 20-21, 2019
Cancer Research & Oncology
Primary Healthcare and Medicare Summit
May 20-21, 2019 | Rome, Italy
25
th
Global Meet on
World Congress on
&
Influence of NECC (Nutrition and Exercise Center for Cancer Patients) on survival and
body composition in gastrointestinal cancer patients
Nina G. Sautter
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany
BACKGROUND:
Gastrointestinal cancer patients are particularly predisposed to develop cancer cachexia.
Cachectic patients are characterized by loss of adipose tissue as well as skeletal muscle wasting which has
a tremendous impact on quality of life and survival (1, 4). In terms of improvement for this multifactorial
syndrome, Klinikum rechts der Isar (MRI) in Munich, Germany has founded NECC, a treatment concept
including nutrition intervention and an individual training program.
METHODS:
In this study we focused on patients with pancreatic (n =15) and upper gastrointestinal cancer (n
= 21). Body composition using CT images was analyzed initially, 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after initial
visit of NECC (Image 1). To underline the outcome, NECC patients were matched to adequate partners who
correspond in age, gender, diagnosis with TNM classification and type of surgery. The control group does not
receive any further support concerning nutrition and physical exercise.
RESULTS: Our study demonstrates that NECC has impact on overall survival (Image 2). Skeletal muscle mass
index (SMAI) was higher 4 weeks and 3 months after initial visit in NECC patients compared to control
group. Intramuscular adipose tissue index (IMATI) was higher after 6 months in NECC patients compared
to controls.
CONCLUSION:
The NECC program influences overall survival in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. This
effect was significant in patients with pancreatic cancer but not in patients with upper GI cancer. Additionally,
we observed effects of NECC on SMAI 4 weeks and 3 months after initial visit and on IMATI 6 months after
initial visit. The promising results should be further investigated in randomized studies.
Biography
Nina Giulia Sautter graduated from Ludwig-Maximilians Universität in Summer 2018 in the field of Dentistry. She is passionately
interested in improvement of life quality of cancer patients. In 2016 she started her thesis about the importance of physical exercise
and nutrition as a part of treatment in gastrointestinal cancer patients. The results of her research show a significant impact on the
patient’s survival.
nina.giulia@web.deJ Mol Cancer, Volume 2