Histomorphological and inflammatory changes of white adipose tissue in gastrointestinal cancer patients with and without cachexia

Abstract Background During cancer cachexia, several alterations occur in peripheral tissues, and the adipose tissue may be involved during the catabolic state. We aimed at investigating histological rearrangement and infiltration of inflammatory cells in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of patients with cancer undergoing surgery, according to the presence/absence of cachexia. Methods We considered gastrointestinal cancer patients and controls with non‐malignant diseases undergoing surgery. We collected SAT samples and performed histomorphological analyses [cross‐sectional area (CSA) and per cent of fibrosis] and immunohistochemistry to characterize the inflammatory cells. By computed tomography (CT) scan, we calculated SAT and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Results We enrolled 51 participants (31 gastrointestinal cancer patients and 20 controls). In cancer patients, cachexia was present in 13/31 (42%). The CSA (μm2) of the adipocytes from SAT was reduced in cancer patients vs. controls (3148, inter‐quartile range 2574–3755 vs. 4474, inter‐quartile range 3654–5183) (P