Renal Cell Carcinoma is More Aggressive in Turkish Patients with the Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a multifactorial disease characterized by impaired glucosetolerance/diabetes, obesity, high triglyceride levels, low HDL levels, and hypertension. In this study we evaluatethe relationship between tumor size and grade, and presence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with renal cellcarcinoma. Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: Between 2007-2013, radical nephrectomy was performed for 310 patients withrenal tumors in our clinic and those with pathology reported renal cell carcinoma were enrolled and divided intotwo groups, with and without metabolic syndrome diagnosed on the basis of the National Cholesterol EducationProgram (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) criteria. The relationship between tumor size and gradeof the two groups (Fuhrman nuclear degree) was evaluated statistically. <br/><b>Results</b>: The metabolic syndrome wasfound in 70 patients, with a mean age of 65.5 (40-87), as compared to 58.8 (31-84) years in the non-metabolicsyndrome group. Tumor size over 7 cm was found in 54% and 33%, respectively, and tumor grade over Fuhrman3 in 56% and 32% of patients. Patients with metabolic syndrome had significantly higher tumor size and grade(p<0.05). In the presence of hypertension, diabetes and high triglyceride levels, significant assocations wereagain observed (p<0.05). Tumor size and degree also increased with increasing body mass index but this wasnot statistically significant (p>0.05). <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: Renal cancer is more aggressive in patients with metabolicsyndrome. Lifestyle and risk factors were revealed to be significant influences in renal cancer patients.