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Linking Obesity, Metabolism, and Cancer

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Metabolic Syndrome

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Abstract

The pandemics of obesity and cancer are major health challenges worldwide. In addition to diabetes and cardiovascular disease, epidemiological evidence shows that people who are overweight or obese are at increased risk of developing some types of cancer. Obesity may also affect tumor progression for many cancers, and obesity presents an obstacle in cancer treatment. In this chapter we discuss potential mechanisms linking obesity to cancer development, progression, and mortality, including energy imbalance, insulin resistance, and altered hormone signaling. We especially focus on chronic inflammation, and its local and systemic effects. Understanding the mechanisms involved in obesity–cancer link is important not only to prevent both cancer and obesity, but also for developing potential therapeutics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical and Research Technology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Ivana Vucenik

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Ivana Vucenik

  3. Department(s) of Pharmacology & Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Laundette P. Jones

  4. Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    John C. McLenithan

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  1. Ivana Vucenik
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  2. Laundette P. Jones
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  3. John C. McLenithan
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Correspondence to Ivana Vucenik .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA

    Rexford S. Ahima

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Vucenik, I., Jones, L.P., McLenithan, J.C. (2023). Linking Obesity, Metabolism, and Cancer. In: Ahima, R.S. (eds) Metabolic Syndrome. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12125-3_50-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12125-3_50-2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-12125-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-12125-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Linking Obesity, Metabolism, and Cancer
    Published:
    22 September 2023

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12125-3_50-2

  2. Original

    Linking Obesity, Metabolism and Cancer
    Published:
    09 July 2015

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12125-3_50-1

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