Background: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, and 20–30% of patients will develop liver metastases (CRLM) during their lifetime. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is also one of the most common cancers worldwide with increasing incidence. Hepatic resection represents the most effective treatment approach for both CRLM and HCC. Recently, sarcopenia has gained popularity as a prognostic index in order to assess the perioperative risk of hepatectomies. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of sarcopenia on the overall survival (OS), complication rates and mortality of patients undergoing liver resections for HCC or CRLM. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed for studies including patients undergoing hepatectomy for HCC or CRLM, and a meta-analysis of the data was performed. Results: Sarcopenic patients had a significantly lower 5-year OS compared to non-sarcopenic patients (43.8% vs. 63.6%, respectively; p < 0.01) and a significantly higher complication rate (35.4% vs. 23.1%, respectively; p = 0.002). Finally, no statistical correlation was found in mortality between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients (p > 0.1). Conclusions: Sarcopenia was significantly associated with decreased 5-year OS and increased morbidity, but no difference was found with regard to postoperative mortality.

Background : Although screening for distress is a crucial part of psycho-social care for cancer patients, there has not been a validation study for this purpose in Greece. The purpose of this study was to evaluate for the first time the psychometric properties of the Greek translation of the Distress Thermometer (DT) and Problem List (PL) in Greek colorectal cancer patients (CRC). Methods : Participants were 84 CRC inpatients of the 1^st Surgical Propedeutic Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a mean age of 70.8 ± 9.5 years. Participants completed the DT, PL and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results : The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient in the DT was 0.795. Patients’ mean score in the DT was 5.7 ± 2.74, while the mean number of the reported problems in the PL was 18.85 ± 5.50 and the mean total score of the HADS was 15.61 ± 6.95. ROC-analysis supported that a cut-off score of 7 gives the optimal sensitivity and specificity for the DT. Conclusion : The index sample has manifested high levels of distress, which correspond to high need for support and improvement of the patient-provider relationship. This is probably a difficult task, since the Greek healthcare system has minimal experience of providing psycho-oncology care. The present study has indicated that the DT can be reliably used in the Greek clinical setting. Future studies, along with state provision, are essential in order to offer Greek cancer patients state-of-the-art and comprehensive care.

Colorectal cancer significantly affects the quality of life of patients, while at the same time contributing to the development of symptoms of psychopathology. The aim of this prospective study, is...