Metabolic syndrome and breast cancer survivors: a follow-up analysis after completion of chemotherapy

Background We previously reported that (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy adversely altered metabolic syndrome (MetS) components, body composition, and related biomarkers after a 12 to 18-week chemotherapy treatment course in women. Here, we sought to determine whether these measures worsened within 4-5 years post-chemotherapy among the same sample of early stage breast cancer survivors. Methods Twenty-eight breast cancer survivors were reassessed within 4-5 years post-chemotherapy. Participants were tested for MetS, lipid profile (total cholesterol; TC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C), glucose metabolism (insulin, homeostatic model- insulin resistance; HOMA-IR, glycosylated hemoglobin; HbA1c), inflammation (C-reactive protein; CRP) and body composition (body weight; BW, percent body fat; BF, fat mass; FM) during follow-up physical exams. A comparison of measurements between post-chemotherapy and follow-up periods was performed using repeated measures analysis of covariance. Results Most study patients were Caucasian (44%) or Hispanic (30%) with a mean age of 48.2 years. Average time from completion of chemotherapy was 4.75 years. At follow-up, MetS components significantly increased (p < 0.01) compared with the post chemotherapy assessment. Additionally, BF, FM, lipids (TC, LDL), glucose metabolism (HOMA-IR, insulin, HbA1c), and inflammation (CRP) significantly increased (p < 0.01). Notably BW significantly increased; mean weight gain after chemotherapy was 6.1 kg and increased an additional 8.2% at follow-up (p < 0.01). Conclusion MetS components, body composition, and biomarkers continued to worsen within 4-5 years post-chemotherapy in breast cancer survivors. Energy balance interventions should target breast cancer patients to reduce the exacerbation of MetS.

Automated summary

Metabolic syndrome components, body composition, and biomarkers continued to worsen within 4-5 years after chemotherapy in breast cancer survivors. Factors such as body weight, body fat, lipids, glucose metabolism, and inflammation showed significant increases.