Visceral Fat & Endometrial Cancer Risk – New Study
- New research presented at the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) Congress suggests that the metabolic activity of visceral fat, not just its quantity, may predict more aggressive...
- Endometrial cancer, also known as uterine cancer, begins in the lining of the uterus (endometrium).
- Researchers presenting at the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM)'25 annual congress revealed a potential link between high metabolic activity in visceral fat and more aggressive forms of...
Visceral Fat Metabolism Linked to Aggressive Endometrial Cancer
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New research presented at the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) Congress suggests that the metabolic activity of visceral fat, not just its quantity, may predict more aggressive endometrial cancer.
Published October 6, 2025
What is Endometrial Cancer?
Endometrial cancer, also known as uterine cancer, begins in the lining of the uterus (endometrium). It’s the most common type of gynecologic cancer in the United States, with approximately 65,950 new cases expected in 2024, according to the American Cancer Society. Obesity is a known risk factor, but the precise mechanisms linking weight and cancer aggressiveness have remained unclear.
The New Research: metabolic Activity Matters
Researchers presenting at the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM)’25 annual congress revealed a potential link between high metabolic activity in visceral fat and more aggressive forms of endometrial cancer. visceral fat, the fat stored deep within the abdomen surrounding organs, is metabolically active – meaning it releases hormones and other substances. This new study suggests that how actively this fat is working might potentially be a crucial factor.
The study utilized Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging with the tracer 18F-FDG to measure glucose metabolism in visceral fat. Higher glucose uptake indicates greater metabolic activity. Researchers found a correlation between increased visceral fat metabolism and more aggressive tumor characteristics, including higher grade tumors and a greater likelihood of lymph node involvement.
How Was the Study conducted?
Details regarding the specific patient cohort and study design were not immediately available in the source material. Though, the research indicates that PET imaging was used to assess visceral fat metabolism in patients with endometrial cancer. This allowed researchers to analyze the relationship between metabolic activity and various clinical and pathological factors related to the cancer’s aggressiveness.
Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment
These findings could have important implications for how endometrial cancer is diagnosed and treated. Currently, risk assessment relies heavily on factors like tumor grade, stage, and histological subtype. Adding visceral fat metabolism to the equation could provide a more comprehensive and accurate picture of a patient’s prognosis.
Specifically, the researchers suggest that techniques and artificial intelligence may help identify high-risk patients, guide treatment decisions, and monitor disease progression. Future research will focus on refining measurement methods, improving accuracy through AI-based segmentation, and exploring links between visceral fat metabolism and circulating biomarkers such as cytokines and hormones. The researchers also plan to explore associations with tumor genomic profiles and to assess whether temporal changes in visceral fat activity are associated with disease progression or treatment response.