Study of the relation between the colorectal neoplasm and visceral fat accumulation in postmenopausal women

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to show the relation ship between colorectal carcinoma (CRC) and visceral adiposity in Egyptian postmenopausal women.BackgroundObesity is known to be an important risk factor for CRC, especially in women. The risk of CRC is greater with the visceral fat accumulation not total body fat content.Patients and methodsThis case–control study included 90 postmenopausal female patients: 45 women with CRC, 20 women with colorectal polyps, and 25 healthy women. Data were collected and statistically analyzed. CRC was diagnosed by colonoscopy and histopathology. Metabolic parameters were assessed according to the BMI and the waist to hip ratio.ResultsVisceral fat was significantly higher in patients with CRC and colorectal polyps compared with the control group. The prevalence of CRC increased with increasing visceral fat content. The study showed that 37 (82.2%) patients with CRC were obese [19 (42.2%) of these patients were overweight and 18 (40%) were obese class I and class II]. Also, 19 (95%) patients with colorectal polyps were obese [11 (55%) of these patients were overweight and eight (40%) patients were obese class I and class II].ConclusionVisceral fat area is highly associated with CRC.