Increased visceral adipose tissue in clear cell renal cell carcinoma with and without peritumoral collateral vessels

Objective: The excessive amount of adipose tissue, mainly visceral, determines adiposopathy. With respect to oncogenesis, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) releases secretes adipokines, proinflammatory citokines and growth factors, considered mediating molecules in the development of obesity-related tumors. In this study, we quantify VAT in male patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) subgrouped according to the presence or absence of peritumoral collateral vessels. Methods: in this retrospective study, we enrolled 141 male caucasian patients divided into 2 groups: the ccRCC group (n = 106) composed of patients with ccRCC and control group (n = 35). The ccRCC group was further divided into two subgroups: the ccRCCa subgroup which showed absence of collateral vessels (n = 48) and ccRCCp subgroup with collateral vessels (n = 58). Total adipose tissue (TAT) area, VAT area and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) area were measured in the groups and subgroups. VAT/SAT ratio was calculated for each subject. Results: Statistically significant differences were obtained between ccRCC group and control group for TAT area (p < 0.005), VAT area (p < 0.005) and SAT area (p = 0.01). Between ccRCCa subgroup and control group for TAT area (p < 0.001), VAT area (p = 0.005) and SAT area (p = 0.001). Between ccRCCp subgroup and control group for TAT area (p = 0.01) and VAT area (p = 0.01). Conclusion: This study confirms the increase of abdominal, especially visceral, adipose tissue in ccRCC patients and demonstrates a significant VAT accumulation in both categories of patients with and without peritumoral collateral vessels. Advances in knowledge: Visceral adiposity is present in patients with ccRCC regardless the presence of peritumoral collateral vessels, with surprisingly stronger results in the ccRCCa subgroup.