Validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis to assess fat−free mass in head and neck cancer patients

Assessment and monitoring of fat-free mass (FFM) is of clinical importance, because FFM is reflective of body cell mass, the total mass of protein-rich, metabolically active cells which is affected during malnutrition and therefore related to clinical outcome.
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a non-invasive, portable and inexpensive method to assess body composition. Currently validity of BIA in head and neck cancer patients is unknown. Therefore, we tested our hypothesis that BIA, using the Geneva equation, is a valid method to assess FFM in head and neck cancer patients.