Does BMI affect post-surgical complications, survival in esophageal adenocarcinoma?

Moffitt Cancer Center researchers find it does not play a role in surgical complications or in survival

2012-03-29

(Press-News.org) TAMPA, Fla. -- Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla., have found – contrary to previous studies linking inferior outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies to higher body mass index (BMI) – that in their study of BMI and negative outcomes, there was no such link. They concluded that BMI was not associated with either surgical complications or esophageal cancer patient survival.

Their study was published in the current online issue of the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, published by the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract.

"The incidence of esophageal cancer in North America is rising," said study co-author Kenneth L. Meredith, M.D., assistant member at Moffitt and chief of the Esophagogastric Oncology Section. "Corresponding to that rise, there has been a dramatic rise in overweight and obese people as defined by the World Health Organization's guidelines indicating those having a BMI of 25 to 29.9 as being overweight and those who are obese as having a BMI of over 30."

According to the researchers, the increase in obesity and the increase in esophageal cancer has been linked, as has obesity been similarly linked with other kinds of cancers. Obesity is recognized as a risk factor for esophageal cancer. What remains in question, however, is whether a high BMI affects post-surgical complications and overall survival among esophageal cancer patients who have been treated with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

"The correlation of obesity with surgical risks and postoperative survival is more important given the rise in obesity rates, yet more clarity on potential correlation is needed," said Meredith. "The literature shows mixed study results."

In their paper, the authors cited a number of studies that correlated lower BMI with better outcomes for a variety of cancers as well as studies that found no prognostic significance correlating higher BMI with poorer outcomes.

Because of the prevailing belief that patients with a high BMI tend to have more surgical complications as compared to normal weight patients, the Moffitt researchers examined esophageal cancer patient data on BMI for links to surgical risk and postoperative survival, especially for those patients with high BMI.

Their study included 303 esophageal cancer patients treated with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery who were stratified by their BMI to include those with BMIs less than 25 to greater than 35. The only demographic differences were in gender, with a higher proportion of males in the BMI 25 to 30 group.

"Our study demonstrated no significant differences in overall survival or disease-free survival in relation to BMI for patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery after prior treatment with chemotherapy and radiation," said Meredith. "Additionally, there were no differences in perioperative complications or mortality associated with BMI. In short, our data failed to demonstrate a link between BMI and surgical outcome."

### About Moffitt Cancer Center Follow Moffitt on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MoffittCancerCenter Follow Moffitt on Twitter: @MoffittNews Follow Moffitt on YouTube: MoffittNews

Located in Tampa, Moffitt Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, which recognizes Moffitt's excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country's leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of "America's Best Hospitals" for cancer.

Media release by Florida Science Communications

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

IMRT reduces risk of side effects in breast cancer patients

2012-03-29

Breast cancer patients treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) instead of standard whole breast irradiation (WBI) have a lower incidence of acute or chronic toxicities, according to a study in Practical Radiation Oncology (PRO), the official clinical practice journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). Researchers are constantly conducting studies to determine the most effective breast cancer treatment that also reduces the incidence of potential side effects, including skin inflammation, swelling and infection. Researchers in this ...

Researchers identify genetic basis of tropical foot and leg lymphedema

2012-03-29

Farmers in the highlands of southern Ethiopia scratch out a subsistence living from the region's volcanic red clay. The soil supports the farms, but fine-grained, volcanic rock particles in the dirt threaten the farmers and their families. Continual exposure of bare feet to the volcanic soil causes 1 in 20 people to develop a painful inflammation of the lower extremities that, over time, leads to foot disfigurement. Doctors call it podoconiosis. The locals call it mossy foot. And those affected suffer social stigma as well as debilitating discomfort. Now, researchers ...

J. Martinez Fine Coffees Offers Coffee of the Month Club

2012-03-29

J. Martinez & Company knows gourmet coffee. It is a multi-generational family business as well as a personal passion for owner John Martinez. Over the years, J. Martinez & Company has gotten to know the best coffee in the world. Since most people do not have time to devote their lives to sampling and learning about gourmet specialty coffee, J. Martinez & Company offers a coffee of the month club. There are two offerings available, the Premier Coffee of the Month Club and the Deluxe Coffee of the Month Club. Both options include three half pound bags of premium ...

Fish oil added to yogurt may help consumers meet daily nutritional requirements

2012-03-29

Amsterdam, The Netherlands -- Many consumers want to increase their intake of heart-healthy n-3 fatty acids, found naturally in fish and fish products, but find it difficult to consume the levels recommended by the American Heart Association. Scientists at Virginia Tech have demonstrated that it may be possible to achieve the suggested daily intake in a single serving of a savory-flavored yogurt, providing an easily incorporated dietary source for these valuable fatty acids. Their work is detailed in the April issue of the Journal of Dairy Science®. "The international ...

Protein 'jailbreak' helps breast cancer cells live

2012-03-29

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — If the fight against breast cancer were a criminal investigation, then the proteins survivin, HDAC6, CBP, and CRM1 would be among the shadier figures. In that vein, a study to be published in the March 30 Journal of Biological Chemistry is the police report that reveals a key moment for keeping cancer cells alive: survivin's jailbreak from the nucleus, aided and abetted by the other proteins. The research highlights that a protein's location in a cell affects its impact on disease, and offers clear new leads for the investigation. All ...

Not Too Late to Keep That New Year's Resolution with Healthe Trim

2012-03-29

The people behind the success of the natural weight loss supplement Healthe Trim know how well it works for losing weight, and they want people to be successful in their 2012 weight loss. Losing weight can be tough; sometimes the body needs a little kickstart to get metabolism fired up and keep someone motivated about losing weight. Burning more calories than are ingested is the key to weight loss. Healthe Trim is a weight loss supplement that suppresses appetite, increases energy and super charges metabolism for quick weight loss results that are difficult to achieve ...

Genetic abnormality offers diagnostic hope for children's cancer

2012-03-29

A chromosomal abnormality in children with a deadly form of brain cancer is linked with a poorer chance of survival, clinician scientists at The University of Nottingham have discovered. The study led by experts at Nottingham's Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre as part of a European collaboration could potentially lead to a new diagnostic test to allow doctors to identify youngsters who are at the highest risk associated with an ependymoma tumour and may need aggressive life-saving treatments. The research could also help them to decide which children with the ...

A new paradox on our plate?

2012-03-29

Quebec City -- A study by Université Laval's Maurice Doyon and French and American researchers shows that U.S. consumers know surprisingly more about the fat content of the foods they buy than their French counterparts. Paradoxically, the obesity rate is nearly three times higher in the United States (35%) than it is in France (12%). In light of these results, published in a recent edition of the British Food Journal, the researchers cast doubt on the notion that providing nutritional information is an effective way to encourage healthy eating habits. Dr. Doyon of the ...

Atlanta Hardwood Flooring Recommends Installing Hardwood Floors in Winter

2012-03-29

It may come as a surprise to some, but the experts at Atlanta Hardwood Flooring often recommend installing hardwood floors in Atlanta during the winter. This is not to say that hardwood floors cannot be correctly and successfully installed during the summer months, but the cool dry atmosphere of winter has its advantages. Hardwood flooring is a natural product, and just like the trees that it comes from, it is affected by moisture. Humid summers and dry, cold spells in the winter create a need for Atlanta hardwood flooring contractors to know what they are doing and ...

GPs should advise drinkers to keep a daily record of their drinking

2012-03-29

The new UK alcohol strategy includes a plan to ensure that General Practitioners (GPs) advise heavy drinkers to cut down (The Government's Alcohol Strategy, 23 March 2012, downloadable from http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/). There is good evidence that this can reduce how much people drink. The big question is, what should GPs say to their patients? A new study published online by the scientific journal Addiction analysed the advice given by GPs in all the major clinical trials evaluating this kind of advice, looking for common components linked to the largest ...