Cholesterol, weight, height, Quetelet's index, and colon cancer recurrence.

The association of low serum cholesterol with colon cancer mortality suggests that low serum cholesterol promotes colon cancer recurrence. We compared cumulative 5-year recurrence-free rates of 279 colon cancer patients in relation to serum cholesterol, weight, height, and Quetelet's index. The median value for each variable was used to divide patients into those above the median, or at the median and below. Patients with median and lower serum cholesterol exhibited an 11% lower disease-free rate at 5 years. Patients above median weight were at significantly increased risk of recurrence in both sexes (76 vs 54%, z = 3.0026, p = 0.003). Progressively decreasing weight was noted with advancing stage in males but not in females. Women above median Quetelet's index were also at significantly greater risk of recurrence (74 vs 52%, z = 2.6109, p = 0.009). Patients above median height were at insignificantly increased risk of recurrence. This study indicates that body weight is a significant prognostic factor for patients with colon cancer.