[Development of body weight, vegetative autonomous system, and breast cancer]

In a case-control study the patterns of body mass and autonomic tone in the premorbid lifetime of breast cancer patients were analyzed retrospectively. Premenopausal breast cancer patients are remarkably thin and show patterns of an ergotropic predominance in premorbid lifetime. Their body mass index and constitution does not agree with the risk factor 'obesity' and the traditionally expected predominance of trophotropy. Furthermore, it turned out that in puberty these patients had a discontinuous change of their body weight. As reported at the time of diagnosis, in women with postmenopausal breast cancer the risk factor 'obesity' seems to be true. However, in premorbid lifespan overweight could not be detected. Therefore, the independent risk factor 'weight gain' is supposed for periclimacteric phase. These women do not show indicators of trophotropic predominance but weak signs of ergotropy and eveningness.