Weight gain during adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: an audit of 100 women receiving FEC or CMF chemotherapy.

Weight gain is reported as a common finding in patients treated for breast cancer but its aetiology appears to be complex. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and degree of weight gain during chemotherapy and to examine possible contributory factors. Data were collected on 100 women treated with CMF or FEC chemotherapy. The mean change in weight was +3.68 kg (P<0.001). 64% of patients gained more than 2 kg in weight, 31% maintained a stable weight (within + or - 2 kg) and 5 patients lost more than 2 kg. Approximately 1/3 of patients (33) gained more than 5 kg and 6 patients gained more than 10 kg in weight. The majority of patients (85%) received steroids as antiemetics but no effect of steroid dose was seen on the level of weight change. No significant differences in weight gain were seen in patients receiving tamoxifen (37%) compared with those not taking it. Similarly, menopausal status did not appear to be a significant factor influencing weight gain. In summary, a high incidence of weight gain was found. The literature on weight gain in breast cancer and possible interventions to avoid weight gain are discussed.