The feasibility and outcomes of metabolic and bariatric surgery prior to neoplastic therapy

Background

Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is a potent intervention for addressing obesity-related medical conditions and achieving sustainable weight loss. Beyond its conventional role, MBS has demonstrated potential to serve as a transitional step for patients requiring various interventions. However, the implications of MBS in the context of neoplasia remain understudied.

Objectives

To explore the feasibility of MBS as a possible attempt to reduce surgical and treatment risks in patients with benign tumors or low-grade cancers.

Setting

Multicenter review from twelve tertiary referral centers spanning 8 countries.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients with a diagnosis of primary neoplasia, deemed inoperable or high-risk due to obesity, and receiving primary MBS prior to neoplastic therapy. Data encompassed baseline characteristics, neoplasia characteristics, MBS outcomes, and neoplastic therapy outcomes.

Results

Thirty-seven patients (median age 52 years, 75.7% female, median BMI of 49.1 kg/m²) were included. There were 9 distinct organs of origin of primary neoplasia, with the endometrium (43.2%) being the most common, followed by the pancreas, colon, kidney and breast. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) was the most commonly performed MBS procedure (78.4%), with no MBS-related complications or mortalities reported over an average of 4.3 ± 3.9 years. Thirty-one patients (83.8%) eventually underwent neoplastic surgery, with a mean BMI decrease from 49.9 kg/m² to 39.7 kg/m² at surgery over an average of 5.8 ± 4.8 months. There were 2 (6.7%) documented mortalities associated with neoplastic surgical intervention.

Conclusions

This study highlights the potential feasibility of employing MBS prior to neoplastic therapy in patients with low-grade, less aggressive neoplasms in the context of obesity. This underscores the importance of providing a personalized, case-to-case multidisciplinary approach in the management of these patients.