Hepatocellular carcinoma is a type of liver cancer associated with hepatitis virus infections and is known for its high recurrence rate after tumor removal. Recent advances in antiviral therapy have reduced the number of affected patients, but obesity and diabetes remain major prevalence factors. This new research clarifies the weight of these factors on cancer recurrence and patient survival.
The study therefore analyzes the relationship between type 2 diabetes, obesity and postoperative outcomes in 1,644 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent liver resection. The analysis reveals that:
- the risk of recurrence 2 years after surgery is 1.5 times higher in the case of obesity and 1.3 times higher in the case of diabetes;
- the risk of recurrence 5 years after surgery is 3.8 times higher in the case of obesity and 2 times higher in the case of diabetes alone.
Towards earlier detection of recurrence of this cancer: “taking these 2 factors into account when monitoring these patients could indeed make it possible to implement more appropriate treatment strategies”emphasizes lead author Dr. Shinkawa of Osaka University.
“Given that the risk of late recurrence is higher in hepatocellular carcinoma associated with obesity and diabetes, controlling obesity and diabetes is essential.”
