Obesity in cancer survival

Annu Rev Nutr. 2012 Aug 21:32:311-42. doi: 10.1146/annurev-nutr-071811-150713. Epub 2012 Apr 23.

Abstract

Although obesity is a well-known risk factor for several cancers, its role on cancer survival is poorly understood. We conducted a systematic literature review to assess the current evidence evaluating the impact of body adiposity on the prognosis of the three most common obesity-related cancers: prostate, colorectal, and breast. We included 33 studies of breast cancer, six studies of prostate cancer, and eight studies of colo-rectal cancer. We note that the evidence overrepresents breast cancer survivorship research and is sparse for prostate and colorectal cancers. Overall, most studies support a relationship between body adiposity and site-specific mortality or cancer progression. However, most of the research was not specifically designed to study these outcomes and, therefore, several methodological issues should be considered before integrating their results to draw conclusions. Further research is urgently warranted to assess the long-term impact of obesity among the growing population of cancer survivors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adiposity
  • Biomedical Research
  • Breast Neoplasms / complications
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / complications
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms / mortality
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Prognosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / complications
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / mortality
  • Research Design