Subcutaneous, omentum and tumor fatty acid composition, and serum insulin status in patients with benign or cancerous ovarian or endometrial tumors. Do tumors preferentially utilize polyunsaturated fatty acids?

The relationships between the fatty acid composition of cancerous endometrium and ovary, and peripheral adipose tissues were studied in Israeli Jewish women, and are presented together since no differences were shown between them. The results suggest a mobilization of linoleic acid from subcutaneous and omental depots and its incorporation into tumors accompanied by a high degree of desaturation. High blood insulin concentrations characterized patients with stage I and II disease, and low concentrations characterized patients with advanced degrees of malignancy.