Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether an association exists between post-operative chemotherapy weight change and breast cancer control and survival, specifically within a high-risk population of women with node-positive breast cancer diagnosed and treated in the contemporary setting. Methods: A retrospective investigation with the following eligibility criteria: women who underwent primary surgical therapy for invasive breast cancer, were found to have pathologic evidence of nodal involvement, and were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Demographic, tumor-, and treatment-related data were recorded and analyzed for association with disease control and survival outcomes. The post-operative/pre-chemotherapy weight and BMI served as the baseline comparator for future weight/BMI changes. Results: From January 2004 through December 2008, 52 patients were identified for inclusion. At a median follow-up of 77.2 months (range 19.9–119.4, with 85% followed >5 years), 8 patients experienced disease recurrence and 7 patients had died (3 with recurrent disease). Analysis of factors associated with study endpoints identified absolute weight and BMI change at 1, 3, and 4 years post-chemotherapy completion as significantly inversely associated with overall survival, but not associated with freedom from failure. Additionally, a statistically significant association between number of lymph nodes involved and freedom from failure was identified. Conclusion: This investigation did not detect statistically significant associations between weight or BMI change during chemotherapy and disease control or survival within this high-risk population, while the number of lymph nodes involved was directly related to risk of disease failure. Weight change at intervals following chemotherapy completion demonstrated some association with overall survival.
Highlights
Breast cancer is a devastating disease with significant individual and societal implications
Analysis of factors associated with study endpoints identified absolute weight and body mass index (BMI) change at 1, 3, and 4 years post-chemotherapy completion as significantly inversely associated with overall survival, but not associated with freedom from failure
Change during chemotherapy and disease control or survival within this high-risk population, while the number of lymph nodes involved was directly related to risk of disease failure
Summary
Breast cancer is a devastating disease with significant individual and societal implications. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among females in the United States, and currently accounts for an estimated. 230,000 new cases each year (Siegel et al, 2013). (SEER) database demonstrates that one in eight women in the U.S will be diagnosed with the disease in their www.ccsenet.org/cco. The five year survival rates include 98% for localized disease, 84% for locoregionally advanced disease, and 27% for metastatic disease (Newman, 2009). The highest rate of breast cancer is observed in Caucasian women, but it is the most common cancer among women for every major ethnic group
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