RANDoMS

Purpose of the Study

Pancreatic cancer is associated with a high prevalence of weight loss and malnutrition, and evidence suggests that changes in body composition, which means changes in the amount of muscle, fat, fluid and/or other tissues in our body, affects outcomes in all stages of pancreatic cancer. A loss of muscle tissue can impact general function and well-being, as well as the development of side effects from cancer treatment. Identifying and treating this early, through improved assessment techniques, could lead to improved outcomes for patients with PC.

A simple measurement of weight, or body mass index (BMI), as is currently commonly used, does not accurately identify those at most risk, or changes in muscle tissue. The most accurate way to measure body composition, using CT scans, requires skilled staff and is time consuming. In comparison, malnutrition and loss of muscle mass can be identified with a quick-to-use tool called the Patient Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). The PG-SGA is commonly used by dietitians when completing nutrition assessments in patients with pancreatic cancer. The relationship between the PG-SGA malnutrition diagnosis and CT-diagnosed low muscle mass has not yet been investigated in pancreatic cancer. Given the PG-SGA tool is widely accessible and low cost, comparing its use to the gold standard CT-assessed body composition is warranted. This may improve the management of patients with pancreatic cancer in the future.

This substudy of MASTERPLAN aims to identify how a standard instrument used by dietitians to assess for malnutrition performs against a gold standard.