Abstract
Background: Obesity is a well-known risk factor for breast cancer recurrence
and poor prognosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of
body mass index (BMI) on survival in breast cancer patients. Methods: We
performed a retrospective analysis of 50 breast cancer patients treated in our
hospital from January 2012 to December 2013. Patients were divided according
to body mass index when diagnosed into: normal weight BMI < 25 Kg/m2,
over weight BMI ≥ 25 Kg/m2 to < 30 Kg/m2, obesity BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m2. In this
study the effect of body mass index on progression free survival (PFS) and
overall survival (OS) was evaluated. Results: The disease free survival (DFS)
and overall survival (OS) decreased in overweight and obese patients. Both
overweight and obesity were predictors for increased risks of breast cancer
relapse and mortality with a median disease free survival for overweight 29
mons and obese patients 11 mons and a median overall survival for overweight
patients 49 mons and obese patients 39 mons. Conclusion: Obesity
and overweight are associated with poorer disease free survival and overall
survival in patients with breast cancer.