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Metabolic Syndrome and Liver Cancer

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Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Malignancies

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Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a well-known complication of advanced liver disease and leads to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. There are several know risk factors for HCC, and most of the time patients have more than one. There is an ongoing change in the relative importance of these risk factors and in the geographical prevalence of HCC. For example, viral hepatitis, in particular hepatitis B virus (HBV), was responsible for the high prevalence in Asian and Mediterranean countries. Immunization and new powerful antivirals are reducing the HCC risk related to HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) hepatitides. However, HCC incidence continues to rise, and interestingly we are now seeing more hepatomas arising in patients without advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis suggesting alternative carcinogenic pathways. Other risk factors are sustaining the increasing incidence of HCC in areas classically considered at low incidence. In line with the growing epidemic of metabolic syndrome and its risk factors, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, we are seeing a rise in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) which is now appreciated as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Components of the metabolic syndrome remain independent risk factors for development of liver cancer, and therefore understanding the underlying pathogenic mechanisms by which diseases such as obesity and diabetes lead to hepatologic complications and malignancy is essential for development of effective preventative and therapeutic measures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Liver Center & Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Ariel Jaffe & Mario Strazzabosco

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  1. Ariel Jaffe
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  2. Mario Strazzabosco
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Correspondence to Mario Strazzabosco .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Director, Capital Health Cancer Center, Director, CH Pancreas Center of Excellence, Director, CH Liver Center of Excellence, Pennington, NJ, USA

    Cataldo Doria

  2. Director of Interventional Gastroenterology, Capital Health Medical Center, Pennington, NJ, USA

    Jason N. Rogart

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Jaffe, A., Strazzabosco, M. (2022). Metabolic Syndrome and Liver Cancer. In: Doria, C., Rogart, J.N. (eds) Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Malignancies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41683-6_51

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41683-6_51

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