LAUSR

Key Points Question Are underlying inflammatory pathways and body composition profiles associated with less favorable 5-year colon cancer outcomes? Findings In this cohort study including 28 patients with nonmetastatic colon cancer, high visceral fat and low muscle mass were associated with increased inflammatory activity and poor 5-year cancer outcomes, including recurrence and disease-specific mortality. Low skeletal muscle area and high visceral to total fat ratio were associated with increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor and inhibition of protective inhibitory cytokines in patients with less favorable 5-year cancer outcomes. Meaning These findings suggest that less favorable colon cancer outcomes associated with low skeletal muscle area and high visceral to total fat ratio were also associated with increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor and lower levels of protective inhibitory cytokines.