Obesity in patients with carcinoma cervix increases the risk of adverse events

Abstract

Obesity has become epidemic both in developed and developing countries. Socio-economic (SE) development has resulted in increased prevalence of obesity across all social groups in developing countries that is contrary to the effects of rising SE status on prevalence of obesity in the developed world. Obesity is not only associated with metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, diabetes but is also a risk factor for cancer and is responsible for increased cancer mortality. Published articles have reported higher rates of treatment failure and adverse events (AEs) of anti-cancer therapy in obese patients with carcinoma cervix in comparison to their normal body mass index (BMI) counterparts. Hence, there is a need to elucidate factors that may increase the risk of AEs. Aim of this paper is to discuss the delivery of radiotherapy, concurrent chemotherapy and their effect on AEs in obese patients with carcinoma cervix.