Perspective: Radiotherapy and Body Composition: Unmet Needs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Authors

Alexia J Murphy-Alford
Aaron J Grossberg
Vickie E Baracos
Maha Barbar
Judy Bauer
Jonathan P Bennett
Elena Fidarova
Clifton D Fuller
Anastassia Löser
Amy C Moreno
Anurima Patra
Deepa Puttaswamy
David I Rosenthal
Judy Schoeman
Yavuz Anacak

Language

English

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Journal

Advances in Nutrition

DOI

10.1016/j.advnut.2025.100563

PMID

41242549

PMCID

PMC12756699

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

11-14-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Radiotherapy plays a vital role in cancer treatment, yet its effects on patients' nutritional status can precipitate muscle loss, with significant implications for treatment tolerance and outcomes. Evidence from high-income countries increasingly links radiation-induced muscle loss to adverse clinical outcomes. In contrast, low- and middle-income countries face a stark evidence gap, despite the heightened vulnerability of cancer patients in these settings due to delayed diagnosis, limited access to care, and high rates of co-morbidities. This paper highlights the critical gaps in nutritional care for radiotherapy patients in low- and middle-income countries.

Keywords

Humans, Developing Countries, Neoplasms, Body Composition, Nutritional Status, Radiotherapy, Health Services Needs and Demand, Sarcopenia, body composition, cancer, radiotherapy, low- and middle-income countries, nutrition

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Murphy-Alford, Alexia J; Grossberg, Aaron J; Baracos, Vickie E; et al., "Perspective: Radiotherapy and Body Composition: Unmet Needs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries" (2026). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 5665.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthgsbs_docs/5665