European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

SARCOPENIA IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS: PREVALENCE, CLINICAL IMPACT, AND PRACTICAL APPROACHES TO ASSESSMENT

*Shravya C., MD Farhan, Dr. Saba Farooqui, Dr. K. Jesindha Beyatricks, Dr. S. N. Sri Harsha

ABSTRACT

Sarcopenia has emerged as a prevalent and clinically significant condition among breast cancer patients,
characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass accompanied by declines in muscle strength and physical
performance. Increasing evidence indicates that sarcopenia occurs across all stages of breast cancer and
throughout the treatment continuum, including at diagnosis, during active therapy, and into survivorship. Tumourrelated
metabolic alterations, systemic inflammation, anticancer treatments, physical inactivity, and inadequate
nutritional intake collectively contribute to muscle depletion in this population. In breast cancer patients,
sarcopenia has been consistently associated with poorer treatment tolerance, increased cancer-related fatigue,
functional decline, and adverse clinical outcomes, even in individuals with preserved body weight or coexisting
obesity. The reported prevalence of sarcopenia varies widely depending on patient characteristics, treatment phase,
and assessment methodology, with pooled estimates approaching nearly half of affected patients in some cohorts.
While imaging-based techniques such as computed tomography and positron emission tomography–computed
tomography provide precise quantification of muscle mass and quality, their routine clinical use is limited by cost,
accessibility, and resource constraints. Consequently, practical bedside tools including bioelectrical impedance
analysis, anthropometric measurements, and functional performance tests have gained increasing attention as
feasible options for screening and longitudinal monitoring. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on
the prevalence, pathophysiology, clinical and functional consequences, and assessment approaches for sarcopenia
in breast cancer patients. Emphasis is placed on the dynamic nature of sarcopenia across the disease trajectory and
the importance of early recognition, comprehensive assessment, and integration of muscle health evaluation into
standard breast cancer care. Adoption of practical assessment strategies may facilitate timely interventions,
optimize functional outcomes, and improve quality of life during and after cancer treatment.

Keywords: Sarcopenia, Breast cancer, Cancer-related fatigue, Muscle mass and strength, Functional performance, Body composition.