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Leanness and squamous cell oesophageal cancer
S Gallus1, C La Vecchia, F Levi
1Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy. gallus@marionegri.it
Summary
Leanness, not cancer-related weight loss, is linked to squamous cell oesophageal cancer risk. Low body mass index (BMI) is a risk indicator, but only closer to diagnosis, not in the distant past.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Squamous cell oesophageal cancer shows an inverse relationship with body mass index (BMI).
- The role of leanness versus cancer-related weight loss in this association requires clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and squamous cell oesophageal cancer risk.
- To differentiate between pre-existing leanness and cancer-induced weight loss as risk factors.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 395 incident cases of squamous cell oesophageal cancer and 1,066 controls.
- Logistic regression analysis adjusted for education, tobacco, alcohol, energy intake, and fruit and vegetable consumption.
Main Results:
- Lower body mass index (BMI) in the year before diagnosis was associated with increased squamous cell oesophageal cancer risk (OR=1.9).
- This association was more pronounced in men and heavy smokers, independent of lifestyle factors.
- No linear association was observed between weight change in the decade prior to diagnosis and cancer risk.
Conclusions:
- Leanness is an indicator of squamous cell oesophageal carcinogenesis.
- Low body mass index (BMI) in the distant past does not appear to be related to oesophageal cancer risk.