ABSTRACT
Body mass index [BMI] is an independent prognostic factor for survival in breast cancer patients. Patients with higher BMI were found to have poorer cancer prognosis and lower survival rates. Many factors as ghrelin, adiponectin and leptin, have been implicated in obesity but their correlation with breast carcinogenesis and treatment outcome is still a debate.To identify the relation of ghrelin, adiponectin and leptin with BMI in breast cancer patients and their possible role in carcinogenesis and treatment outcome. Sera from 80 breast cancer patients were analyzed. Ghrelin, adiponectin and leptin were assayed by commercial RIA kits, and their levels were correlated with BMI, clinicopathological parameters and relapse-free survival. The median duration of patients' follow-up was 32 months.73.7% of the cohort was overweight/obese. Compared to breast cancer patients with normal BMI, overweight/obese patients had a significantly higher tumor size and higher histological grade. Overweight/obese patients had higher leptin and lower ghrelin and adiponectin levels. Adiponectin was lower in patients with higher tumor grade and lymph node involvement, while ghrelin decreased with increasing tumor size and histological grade. Only serum ghrelin levels were significantly correlated to better disease-free survival.Ghrelin, adiponectin and leptin are significant factors in controlling BMI in breast cancer patients but only ghrelin is a significant predictor of better outcome and recurrence-free survival