Anthropometric factors, physical activity, and the risk of soft tissue sarcoma: a case–control study

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are rare malignancies with largely unknown etiology; the role of anthropometry and physical activity has been rarely explored. Methods: We analyzed 2011-2019 data of an Italian, multicenter, hospital-based case-control study including 498 incident, histologically confirmed STS cases and 969 controls. Self-reported height, weight, and physical activity data were collected; hip and waist circumferences were measured in 76% of cases and 61% of controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multiple-adjusted logistic regression models. Results: Compared with BMI < 25 kg/m 2 , the ORs for BMI one year prior to diagnosis/interview were 1.05 (95% CI: 0.80-1.37) for 25-29.9 kg/m 2 and 1.28 (95% CI: 0.90-1.83) for ≥30 kg/m 2 . The OR was increased for BMI 25-29.9 kg/m 2 at age 30; no association emerged for BMI at age 50 years. For waist circumference, the ORs were 1.93 (95% CI: 1.38-2.70) for >102 cm in males or >88 cm in females, and 3.54 (95% CI: 2.40-5.22) for the highest versus the lowest tertile. For waist-to-hip ratio, the ORs were 1.18 (95% CI: 0.81-1.71) for the intermediate, and 2.81 (95% CI: 1.95-4.03) for the highest tertile. Subjects reporting ≥5 h/week of total or intermediate/high intensity leisure-time physical activity at age 30-39 years had ORs of 0.63 (95% CI: 0.40-1.00) and 0.56 (95% CI: 0.32-1.00), respectively. Conclusion: These findings show a positive association between abdominal adiposity and STS risk, and an inverse association with regular leisure-time physical activity.