The Relationship Between Colorectal Cancer and Abdominal Adipose Tissue Distribution

Abstract

Aim: To examine the relationship between obesity and the subcutaneous, visceral and retroperitoneal adipose tissue thicknesses of the abdomen. Materials and Methods: The study included 62 control and 68 colorectal cancer patients. Abdominal computed tomography of the patients, which were taken within the last 6 months before preoperative or colonoscopic examination were evaluated. Colorectal cancer patients were divided into two groups as proximal and distal according to tumor localization. Subcutaneous, visceral and retroperitoneal adipose tissue thicknesses of the abdomen were measured using abdominal computed tomography scans. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the colorectal cancer group and the control group in terms of body mass index, retroperitoneal and visceral adipose tissue thickness and gender (p=0.091; 0.246; 0.531; 0.190,respectively). The mean age of the colorectal cancer group was higher (p<0.001). The mean subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness of the control group was higher (p=0.045). There was no statistically significant difference between the proximal and distal colorectal cancer group in terms of age, retroperitoneal, subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue thickness (p=0.734; 0.916; 0.800; 0.170, respectively). The mean body mass index of the group with distal mass was higher (p=0.028). The proportion of males was higher in the group with distal mass than in the group with proximal mass (p=0.024). Conclusion: In the risky population evaluating the adipose tissue in the abdomen and its distribution before the colorectal cancer is diagnosed or the symptoms develop will indicate which patients should be followed up in more detail and help to prevent more cases of colorectal cancer.