Journal Health of Woman. 2026. 3(184): 58-64. doi: 10.15574/HW.2026.3(184).5864
Garashova M. A., Aliyeva E. M., Mammadova L. J., Sultanova I. A.
Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku

For citation: Garashova MA, Aliyeva EM, Mammadova LJ, Sultanova IA. (2026). Role of metabolic syndrome and obesity in the development of gynecologic neoplasia in postmenopausal women: clinical, hormonal and diagnostic correlates. Ukrainian Journal Health of Woman. 3(184): 58-64. doi: 10.15574/HW.2026.3(184).5864
Article received: Mar 25, 2026. Accepted for publication: Jun 01, 2026.

Postmenopausal women represent a population with a significantly increased risk of developing gynecological neoplasms. Obesity and metabolic syndrome may contribute to carcinogenesis through complex metabolic and endocrine mechanisms, including insulin resistance, altered sex steroid metabolism, and increased peripheral estrogen production.
Aim – to evaluate the association between obesity, metabolic syndrome components, and hormonal alterations with the development of gynecologic neoplasia in postmenopausal women.
Materials and methods. This study included retrospective and prospective analyses of 306 postmenopausal women with gynecologic tumors. Metabolic syndrome was assessed using biochemical parameters, abdominal circumference, and arterial blood pressure. In the prospectively assessed cohort, anthropometric measurements and hormonal profiles were additionally evaluated. Imaging studies, tumor marker CA-125, and histological verification were performed.
Results. Gynecologic neoplasia distribution was as follows: ovarian cancer (31.7%), endometrial hyperplasia (21.2%), endometrial cancer (16.3%), and uterine leiomyoma (15.4%). Obesity was significantly more prevalent among women with endometrial pathology, reaching 70.0% in endometrial cancer and 63.1% in endometrial hyperplasia. The mean body mass index (BMI) was highest in patients with endometrial cancer (32.7±1.0 kg/m²). A strong association between obesity and endometrial pathology was confirmed. Estrone levels showed a positive correlation with BMI and markers of insulin resistance in the prospectively assessed cohort. Components of metabolic syndrome were significantly more frequent in patients with endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma compared with other gynecologic tumors.
Conclusion. Obesity and metabolic syndrome are strongly associated with endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women. Metabolic and endocrine alterations, particularly hyperinsulinemia and increased estrone bioavailability, create a hormonally permissive environment for endometrial neoplastic transformation. Early metabolic assessment may improve risk stratification and support timely diagnosis.
The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent from women was obtained for the study.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Keywords: postmenopause, obesity, metabolic syndrome, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer.

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