ALPHA-LINOLENIC ACID CONTENT OF ADIPOSE BREAST-TISSUE - A HOST DETERMINANT OF THE RISK OF EARLY METASTASIS IN BREAST-CANCER

The association between the levels of various fatty acids in adipose b reast tissue and the emergence of visceral metastases was prospectivel y studied in a cohort of 121 patients with an initially localised brea st cancer. Adipose breast tissue was obtained al the time of initial s urgery, and its fatty acid content analysed by capillary gas chromatog raphy. A low level of alpha-linolenic acid (18:3(n-3)) in adipose brea st tissue was associated with positive axillary lymph node status and with the presence of vascular invasion, but not with tumour size or mi totic index. After an average 31 months of follow-up, 21 patients deve loped metastases. Large tumour size, high mitotic index, presence of v ascular invasion and low level of 18:3(n-3) were single factors signif icantly associated with an increased risk of metastasis. A Cox proport ional hazard regression model was used to identify prognostic factors. Low 18:3(n-3), level and large tumour size were the two factors predi ctive of metastases. These results suggest that host alpha-linolenic a cid has a specific role in the metastatic process in vivo. Further und erstanding of the biology of this essential fatty acid of the n-3 seri es is needed in breast carcinoma.