Perspective : radiotherapy and body composition: unmet meeds in low- and middle-income countries

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. STATEMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE : Radiotherapy can affect body composition and consequently clinical outcomes, yet evidence from low- and middle-income countries remains limited despite heightened risks from delayed care and comorbidities. This perspective argues that generating context-specific body composition data and building evidence for integrating nutrition into radiotherapy services are critical steps to optimize treatment and improve survivorship in resource-limited settings.