Analysis of Correlation Between Weight at Diagnosis, Weight Gain After Breast Cancer Treatment and Recurrence in Women With Early Stage Breast Cancer (EBC)

ABSTRACT Background Overweight at the time of EBC diagnosis has been linked frequently to poorer survival in most studies and some evidence suggests that women who gain weight after breast cancer diagnosis are at increased risk of cancer recurrence and death. Most previous studies on this topic have relied on retrospective chart reviews. The aim of this prospective, observational, single-center study is to determine whether weight at diagnosis and weight gain after EBC treatment are predictive of BC recurrence. Methods From August 1997 to March 2012, the study included a total of 520 EBC patients (stage I-IIIa). We assessed weight and body mass index (BMI = kg/m2) at baseline (≤ 1 month after surgery) and 24 months after completion of treatment (chemotherapy ± radiotherapy). The chi square test (X2) was conducted to determine if a significant correlation exists between BC recurrence and 3 categories of BMI at diagnosis (lean weight: BMI 25) and BC recurrence and weight changes after EBC treatment (loss of 2 kg/m2). Results Median age was 55 years (range 28-81); 58% of patients were postmenopausal, stage I-II in 89%; ER + /PGR+ in 69%; ER-/PGR- in 20%; HER2+ in 20%; 72% underwent conservative surgery + radiotherapy; 57% received chemotherapy (CT) and 78% received endocrine therapy alone or after CT. Median BMI at diagnosis was 26.8, after treatment 27.7. After a median follow up of 13 years 194 patients recurred. Statistical analysis is reported in table 1. Table: 248O Body Mass Index At diagnosis Changes after BC treatment 25-30 kg/m2 >30 kg/m2 Loss >1 kg/m2 Loss Gain Gain >2 kg/m2 No of patients 179 184 157 64 32 185 145 Recurrences 72 73 49 20 15 63 76 p 0.17 0.34 0.0008 Conclusions Our findings show that EBC patients gain weight after treatment. A significant correlation was found between weight gain after EBC treatment and recurrence, suggesting that women who gain weight after breast cancer diagnosis may be at increased risk of poor outcomes. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.