Background
Weight gain is a common concern for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Published data reports differing incidence and causative factors for weight gain. Our study aimed to assess factors which may influence weight changes (loss or gain) in early (EBC) and metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients receiving chemotherapy.
Method
Patient and treatment factors were collected prospectively for patients under care of medical oncologist, AC. Weight on first and last treatment dates were collected through file review. Weight change was categorised as Mild Weight change (MC) for ± up to 1 unit BMI; ≥ 1 unit decrease as Weight Loss (WL); ≥ 1 to 2 unit increase as Moderate Weight gain (MG), ≥ 2 unit increase as Significant Weight gain (SG). Consecutive patients receiving parenteral chemotherapy were included. Patients provided written consent to use of deidentified medical information. Approval was given by hospital ethics lead.
Results
Between January 2021 to January 2023, 273 patients (227 EBC, 46 MBC) were included. Mean age was 55y and 61y, respectively. Patients were underweight 2%, healthy 44%, overweight 25%, obese 28% at baseline. At end of chemotherapy, MG was seen in 15.4% and SG 8.1%. Significant WL was seen in MBC patients (p<0.0001). MG and SG occurred in patients aged >60y (p=0.0034) or if patients were overweight or obese at baseline (p=0.0014). In EBC patients, those <40y were more likely to experience SG and those aged 40-60y more likely MG (p=0.024). No other variables (alcohol intake, menopausal status, dexamethasone use or chemotherapy type) had a significant influence on weight change.
Conclusions
More than half of patients had mild weight change with one-quarter gaining moderate or significant weight, and similar proportion losing weight. Age was a consistent factor that impacted on weight gain, with all other treatment variables not playing a significant impact.