Influence of body mass index on outcomes and treatment-related toxicity in patients with colon carcinoma

Cancer. 2003 Aug 1;98(3):484-95. doi: 10.1002/cncr.11544.

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for the development of colon carcinoma. The influence of body mass index (BMI) on long-term outcomes and treatment-related toxicity in patients with colon carcinoma has not been well characterized.

Methods: This cohort study was conducted within a large, randomized adjuvant chemotherapy trial of 3759 men and women with high-risk, Stage II and Stage III colon carcinoma who were treated between 1988 and 1992 throughout the United States. With a median follow-up of 9.4 years, the authors examined the influence of BMI on disease recurrence, overall survival, and treatment-related toxicity.

Results: Compared with women of normal weight (BMI, 21.0-24.9 kg/m(2)), obese women with colon carcinoma (BMI > or = 30.0 kg/m(2)) experienced significantly worse overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.34; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.07-1.67) and a nonsignificant increase in the risk of disease recurrence (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.98-1.59). The influence of BMI among women was not related to any differences in chemotherapy dose-intensity across categories of BMI. In contrast, BMI was not related significantly to long-term outcomes among male patients in this cohort. Among all study participants, obese patients had significantly lower rates of Grade 3-4 leukopenia and lower rates of any Grade > or = 3 toxicity compared with patients of normal weight.

Conclusions: Among women with Stage II-III colon carcinoma, obesity was associated with a significant increase in overall mortality as well as a borderline significant increase in disease recurrence. Nonetheless, obesity was not associated with any increase in chemotherapy-related toxicity.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Body Mass Index*
  • Body Weight
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Cohort Studies
  • Colonic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Leucovorin / administration & dosage
  • Levamisole / administration & dosage
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Risk Factors
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States

Substances

  • Levamisole
  • Leucovorin
  • Fluorouracil