Quantity and quality of muscle in patients recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer: a comparison with cancer-free controls

This cross-sectional study compares the muscle mass, core strength and physical fragility of patients recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer (pRD-CRC) with those of healthy subjects and identifies variables to be considered when designing pre-treatment physical interventions for such patients. Body composition, anthropometric variables, the muscle architecture of the lumbopelvic region, physical fitness and frailty were assessed in 32 pRD-CRC and 29 healthy control subjects. The patients showed a reduction in muscle mass (F = 10.059; P = 0.003), in the width of the lumbar multifidus (F = 21.869; P < 0.001), in the transverse abdominal muscle (U = 323.00; P = 0.042) and in the abdominal strength resistance (F = 12.264; P = 0.001). They were also frailer (P = 0.002) than the controls. These results suggest that pRD-CRC are affected by reduced strength and myopenia, leading to frailty. The early incorporation of these patients into strength-enhancing programs may be advisable.