Obesity and mortality among endometrial cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Summary

Excess body fat is a major risk factor for endometrial cancer incidence, but its impact on recurrence and survival remains unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to assess the association between excess body fat with recurrence, cancer‐specific, and all‐cause mortality among endometrial cancer survivors. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE databases up to July 2021. Risk of bias was assessed with the Ottawa Newcastle Scale. Random effects models estimated pooled hazard ratios for the main associations between body mass index (BMI) and survival outcomes and stratified by endometrial cancer type. Potential heterogeneity and publication bias were evaluated with sensitivity analyses, funnel plots, and Egger's test. Forty‐six studies were included, of which 45 estimated body fat with BMI and six used direct waist circumference measures or CT/MRI scans. Higher BMI (≥30 kg/m²) was associated with increased all‐cause mortality (HR = 1.34, 95%CI = 1.12–1.59) and recurrence (HR = 1.28, 95%CI = 1.06–1.56). In sub‐group analysis, associations between higher BMI and all‐cause mortality were observed for both Types I and II survivors, while recurrence associations were only significant among Type I cases. Obesity at endometrial cancer diagnosis was associated with increased cancer recurrence and all‐cause mortality among endometrial cancer survivors but not endometrial cancer‐specific mortality.