Impact of Quantitative Computed Tomography-Based Analysis of Abdominal Adipose Tissue in Patients with Lymphoma

Abstract

Quantitative abdominal adipose tissue analysis is important for obtaining information about prognosis and clinical outcomes on a wide array of diseases. In recent years, the effects of abdominal adipose tissue compartments in patients with lymphoma and the changes in their distribution after therapies have been studied. This information could facilitate the improvement of therapies in patients with lymphoma, to prevent or treat both visceral obesity and sarcopenia. Opportunistic analysis of body composition on computed tomography (CT) images might contribute to the improvement of patient management and clinical outcomes together with implementation of targeted patient-tailored therapies. The purpose of this literature review is to describe the role of CT to evaluate abdominal adipose tissue quantity and distribution in patients with lymphoma.

Keywords

• adipose tissue
• body composition
• cancer cachexia
• computed tomography
• fat
• hematologic malignancies