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

Article Information

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

Authors: Aveen Yousuf, Ghulam Haider, Neelma Bukhari, Maryum Nouman

Journal: Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal (PAFMJ)

HEC Recognition History

Category	From	To
Y	2024-10-01	2025-12-31
Y	2023-07-01	2024-09-30
Y	2021-07-01	2022-06-30
Y	2020-07-01	2021-06-30
Y	1900-01-01	2005-06-30

Publisher: Army Medical College, Rawalpindi.

Country: Pakistan

Year: 2023

Volume: 73

Issue: Supplementary 1

Language: English

DOI: 10.51253/pafmj.v73iSUPPL-1.4049

Keywords: Breast CancerBody mass indexMenopausal statusObeseOverweight

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&lt;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.

Disclaimer: The following sections are produced through an intensive multi-stage analytical pipeline developed by DefinePK, utilizing advanced natural-language processing, domain-specific knowledge models, and automated cross-referencing systems. Despite the rigor and computational effort involved, the generated summary may still contain inaccuracies or incomplete interpretations. Users are strongly advised to verify all critical information against the original paper and its authoritative sources.

Research 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.

Methodology

Cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Medical Oncology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan, from November 2018 to December 2019. 187 women with histologically proven breast carcinoma aged over 20 years were included. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated as weight (kg) / height (m)^2 and categorized into underweight, normal, overweight, and obese. Data on histological type and grade, tumor stage, tumor size, lymph node status, hormone receptor status (ER, PR, HER2/neu), and menopausal status were collected. Data was analyzed using SPSS 23, with Chi-square/Fisher exact test for associations and p<0.05 considered statistically significant.

Methodology Flowchart

                        graph TD;
    A["Recruit 187 women with breast cancer >20 years"] --> B["Calculate BMI and categorize"];
    B --> C["Collect data on tumor stage, size, and clinicopathological factors"];
    C --> D["Analyze data using SPSS 23"];
    D --> E["Assess correlations and associations"];
    E --> F["Draw conclusions and recommendations"];

Discussion

The study indicates that BMI significantly impacts various clinicopathological features of breast cancer, aligning with the increasing prevalence of obesity in Pakistan. BMI was found to be significantly associated with menopausal status, ER, PR, HER2/neu status, and lymph node status. While obesity is a known risk factor for fatal diseases, the data linking obesity and breast cancer outcomes remains inconsistent. The correlation between tumor stage and size varied across BMI categories, with underweight individuals showing the strongest correlation.

Key Findings

BMI categories showed a statistically significant difference with menopausal status (p=0.04), ER status (p=0.011), PR status (p=0.004), HER 2/Neu status (p=0.002), and lymph node status (p=0.001). Underweight patients exhibited a very strong correlation between stage and tumor size (r=0.894). Obese (r=0.678) and normal weight (r=0.676) females showed a strong correlation between stage and tumor size. Overweight females showed a weak correlation (r=0.303).

Conclusion

Body mass index is significantly associated with menopausal status, ER status, PR status, HER 2/Neu status, and lymph node status in females with breast cancer. A very strong correlation between tumor stage and size was observed in underweight women, while obese and normal-weight women showed a strong correlation. Further in-depth studies are recommended due to the erratic data regarding obesity and breast cancer outcomes.

Fact Check

1. Sample Size: The study included 187 women.
2. Study Duration: The study was conducted from November 2018 to December 2019.
3. Correlation Coefficient (Underweight): Underweight patients showed a very strong correlation (r=0.894) between stage and tumor size.

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