A recent study has revealed that individuals with diabetes and obesity face a heightened risk of liver cancer recurrence after surgical intervention, significantly impacting survival rates. The research, conducted by Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Medicine, specifically examined hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a liver cancer type closely linked to hepatitis infections and known for its high recurrence rate post-surgery.
While advancements in antiviral therapies have reduced the incidence of hepatitis-related liver cancer in recent years, the influence of obesity and diabetes on survival rates and recurrence patterns remains less understood.
The study analyzed outcomes for over 1,644 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent liver resection. Findings indicated that individuals with comorbid obesity experienced a 1.5-fold increase in recurrence risk within two years following surgery, while those with diabetes faced a 1.3-fold increased risk. Notably, by the five-year mark, the recurrence risk soared to 3.8 times higher for patients with both obesity and diabetes compared to those without these conditions, and two times higher for those with diabetes alone.
The authors concluded that the coexistence of obesity and diabetes significantly exacerbates late recurrence and negatively affects prognosis for patients undergoing liver resection for HCC. They emphasized the necessity for surgeons to consider tailored surveillance protocols and the importance of managing diabetes and obesity as part of ongoing care for liver cancer patients.
Dr. Hiroji Shinkawa, who led the study, noted that these findings could facilitate earlier detection of cancer recurrence and inform more effective treatment strategies. He underscored the critical role that managing obesity and diabetes plays in improving outcomes for individuals diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, given the increased risk of late recurrence associated with these comorbidities.
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