Investigating the Roles of Metabolic Syndrome and Inflammation as Prognostic Factors in Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Aim: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, and there is an increasing amount of evidence suggesting a link between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the progression of this disease. MetS-related chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance may contribute to tumor growth and influence patient survival. This study examined the association between MetS, systemic inflammation, and five-year survival among CRC patients.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 95 patients treated for CRC at Osijek University Hospital Centre from October 2016 to December 2019. Clinical data, including tumor localization, stage, metabolic parameters, and inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR, and fibrinogen), were collected and analyzed.
Results: Among the 95 patients analyzed, 51.6 % were male, with a median age of 66 years, and 48.4 % were female, with a median age of 63 years. No significant associations were found between MetS, BMI, and five-year survival. However, patients with normal ESR values had significantly higher five-year survival rates (p = 0.005). Higher fibrinogen levels were unexpectedly associated with improved survival (p = 0.029), whereas elevated CRP levels showed a non-significant trend toward worse outcomes. Tumor localization and stage did not significantly impact survival rates.
Conclusions: These findings emphasize the importance of systemic inflammation in CRC prognosis, suggesting its potential as a prognostic factor independent of MetS. While MetS itself is not directly associated with survival, its pro-inflammatory components may be related.

Keywords: metabolic syndrome; colorectal neoplasms; inflammation; survival