CT-based body composition and its demographic and clinical associations in women aged 20 to 40 with non-metastatic breast cancer

This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between CT-based body composition parameters and demographic and clinical factors in young women (< 40 years) with non-metastatic (I–III) breast cancer. Data on anthropometry, sociodemographic characteristics, and tumor profiles were extracted from medical records. Body composition was assessed using CT scans at the third lumbar vertebra (L3), measuring skeletal muscle cross-sectional area (SM), skeletal muscle index (SMI), skeletal muscle radiodensity (SMD), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). A total of 173 patients were included (mean age: 33.8 ± 4.1 years). Most women had stage III tumors and hormone receptor-positive status. Higher VAT levels were associated with older age (P = 0.001). A higher education level was associated with higher SAT values. Women with invasive ductal carcinoma or positive estrogen receptor status were less likely to have high VAT. Patients with high VAT and SAT had higher BMI, SM, and SMI, and lower SMD (all P < 0.005). Our findings suggest that SAT and VAT are associated with educational level and tumor aggressiveness, respectively, highlighting the importance of monitoring body composition as part of clinical care in young women with breast cancer.