Correlation between Tumor Size and Stage of Tumor among Different Body Mass Index Categories in Females with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Objective: To assess the correlation between tumor size and stage of tumor among BMI categories in females presenting with breast cancer at a tertiary care hospital of Karachi.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Oncology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi Pakistan, from Nov 2018 to Dec 2019.

Methodology: One eighty-seven women presenting with histologically proven breast carcinoma of age more than 20 years
were included. Body Mass Index was estimated by dividing weight in kilogram with height in meter square (BMI=
Weight/Height kg/m2). The data regarding histological type and grade, stage of tumor, tumor size, lymph node status,
hormone receptor status and menopausal status were also collected.

Results: On comparing body mass index categories with clinic-pathological factors; menopausal status, ER status, PR status,
HER 2/Neu status and lymph node status showed statistically significant difference between groups (p<0.05). Underweight
patients showed very strong correlation between stage and tumor size (r=0.894), whereas obese (r=0.678) and normal weight (r=0.676) females showed strong correlation between stage and tumor size.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study reveals that body mass index is significantly associated with menopausal status, ER status, PR status, HER 2/Neu status and lymph node status. Though obesity is a modifiable factor which carries risk of developing fatal diseases, data relevant to obesity and breast cancer outcomes is still erratic. We further recommend more indepth study in this context.