Association between body mass index and aggressiveness of papillary thyroid carcinoma

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of the body mass index (BMI) with the clinical-pathological characteristics and the recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma. The cohort consisted of 208 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma diagnosed in 2003-2014, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The patients were grouped according to the BMI as follows: BMI <18.5 kg/m(2) (low weight); BMI >= 18.5 and < 25 kg/m(2) (normal weight); BMI >= 25 and < 30 kg/m(2) (overweight); BMI >= 30 kg / m(2) (obesity). Two experienced pathologists reviewed and cross-checked all pathology specimens to confirm diagnosis, tumor characteristics and extent of the disease. All patients were followed every 6 months for 2 years, and annually thereafter. Recurrences were searched by using diagnostic imaging and histological confirmation when necessary. Regression analysis was applied to define associations of BMI with clinical, pathological, and prognosis features of the disease. A 5-point increase in BMI was significantly associated with tumor size (OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.1-1.5; p = 0.01) and greater extranodal extension in cervical metastases (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.06-1.21; p = 0.03). The analysis of prognostic variables showed no association between increase in BMI and risk of recurrence (HR 1.11; 95% CI 0.91-1.22). In conclusion, we found that BMI relates directly with tumor size and extranodal extension, but not with recurrence.