OBESITY IN WOMEN TREATED FOR BREAST CANCER - CONTROVERSIAL OBSERVATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH MENOPAUSAL STATUS AT DIAGNOSIS

Authors

  • Ioana ARMAȘU Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • V. IANOLE “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Iulia CRUMPEI “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi
  • Ioana VASILIU “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Delia Gabriela CIOBANU-APOSTOL “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Cristina PREDA “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • D.N. ȘERBAN “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi
  • Ionela Lăcrămioara ȘERBAN “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

Keywords:

BREAST CANCER, OBESITY, MENOPAUSE

Abstract

Breast cancer is a polymorphic disease, obesity being an important risk factor. The aim of the study is to assess different clinical, imagistic, biological determinants of fat mass and of gonadotropic axis in breast cancer treated patients according to their menopausal status at diagnosis. Material and methods: Seventy-eight breast cancer female patients were recruited cross-sectionally. All women were at menopause (physiologic or therapeutically induced). Fat mass was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and immunoassays were used to determine serum hormones levels. Results: Post-menopausal diagnosed women showed statistically significant higher BMI (t=-3.159, p=0.002), abdominal (t=-2.305, p=0.036) and hip circumference (t=-2.683, p=0.009), but not hip/abdominal ratio (t=-0.647, p=0.520); also, they had significantly higher body fat mass (either total, subtotal or trunk fat; p<0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed in fasting glucose (t=-0.800, p=0.426), cholesterol (t=-0.566, p=0.573) nor triglycerides (t=0.969, p=0.336). Insulin levels, however, were significantly increased in post-menopausal group (t=-2.420, p=0.018), and subsequently HOMA-IR index assessing insulin-resistance was significantly increased (t=-2.305, p=0.024). Regarding sex hormones, no statistically significant differences were observed in circulating estrogens (estradiol and estrone) nor androgens (total testosterone and calculated free androgen index). However, for both pre-menopause and post-menopause groups, no statistically significant differences were observed in sex hormones according to weight status (obese vs non-obese). Conclusions: There is significant difference between weight status and risk of breast cancer regarding menopausal status, many reports showing that obesity is a risk factor in post-menopause patients and a protective factor in pre-menopause women, underlying the polymorphism of breast cancer disease.

Author Biographies

  • Ioana ARMAȘU, Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Morpho-functional Sciences (II) / Division of Physiology

  • V. IANOLE, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Morpho-functional Sciences (I)

  • Iulia CRUMPEI, “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi

    Department of Endocrinology

  • Ioana VASILIU, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Morpho-functional Sciences (II) / Division of Physiology

  • Delia Gabriela CIOBANU-APOSTOL, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Morpho-functional Sciences (I)

  • Cristina PREDA, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Medical Specialties (II)

  • D.N. ȘERBAN, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Morpho-functional Sciences (II) / Division of Physiology

  • Ionela Lăcrămioara ȘERBAN, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iasi

    Faculty of Medicine
    Department of Morpho-functional Sciences (II) / Division of Physiology

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Additional Files

Published

2023-06-30

Issue

Vol. 127 No. 2 (2023): The Medical-Surgical Journal

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INTERNAL MEDICINE - PEDIATRICS

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