Obesity and Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
Won Sohn1,2 |
1Department of Internal Medicine, Bundang Jesaeng Hospital, Seongnam, Korea 2Liver Center, Bundang Jesaeng Hospital, Seongnam, Korea |
Correspondence:
Won Sohn, Email: hand1@dreamwiz.com |
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Abstract |
Obesity is closely associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as well as other
malignancies. Obesity is an important risk factor for cancer development and overall mortality
in HCC. Molecular mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis in obesity are adipose tissue
remodeling, dysregulation of adipokines, increased reactive oxygen species, insulin resistance
or hyperinsulinemia, alteration of gut microbiota, and dysregulation of microRNA. Obesity
is the most common cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or non-alcoholic
steatohepatitis (NASH). NAFLD or NASH leads to HCC as well as liver cirrhosis. Hepatitis C virus
regulates lipid homeostasis in liver. Obesity and its’ related factors (metabolic syndrome
and diabetes mellitus) are significantly related to the risk of HCC development in chronic
hepatitis C. However, it is not clear whether obesity is a risk factor for HCC in chronic hepatitis
B. The relationship between obesity and HCC seems to be different according to etiology of
background liver disease. Further studies are needed to clarify the effect of obesity on HCC in
different etiologies of chronic liver disease. |
Key Words:
Obesity; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease |
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