Adolescent and young adult Hodgkin lymphoma patients at risk for subcutaneous fat gain during early cancer treatment: a brief report

Computed tomography scans were assessed for subcutaneous fat area and density at thoracic vertebra 4 in 65 adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. Subcutaneous fat was quantified over 3 timepoints; (1) baseline, (2) end of initial anthracycline treatment (EOT) and (3) 1 year. Fat area increased at EOT (62.3 ± 5.4 cm/m² vs 53.5 ± 5.0 cm/m², p < 0.01) and 1 year (65.8 ± 5.6 cm/m² vs 53.5 ± 5.0 cm/m², p < 0.01) compared to baseline. Fat density significantly decreased at EOT (-91.2 ± 1.4 HU vs −86.5 ± 1.4 HU, p < 0.01) and at 1 year (-90.3 ± 1.6 HU vs −86.5 ± 1.4 HU, p = 0.01) compared to baseline. Female, radiation receiving, and anthracycline dosage >250mg/m²subgroups experienced significant fat gain (p < 0.05 for all). Female AYA Hodgkin lymphoma patients receiving radiation, and/or high-dose anthracyclines may be at higher risk of subcutaneous fat gain during therapy.