Hypothyroidism in women associated with increase in liver cancer
Women with a history of hypothyroidism face a significantly higher risk of developing liver cancer, according to a study published in the May 2009 issue of Hepatology. About 8% to 12% of U.S. adults have hypothyroidism, predominantly more women than men.
Hypothyroidism can cause hyperlipidemia and weight gain (see my article on hypothyroidism and cholesterol), and may play a role in the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or HCC, which can progress to more severe liver disease. Steatohepatitis is a type of liver disease, characterized by inflammation of the liver with concurrent fat accumulation in the liver. Studies also suggest a clinical association between hypothyroidism and hepatitis C, causing a rise in liver cancer.
Led by Manal Hassan of Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas, researchers designed a case-control study to better understand the association between hypothyroidism and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the U.S. The study included 420 patients with liver cancer and 1,104 healthy controls. Researchers gathered information like smoking, alcohol consumption and family cancer history, and also asked participants about their history of thyroid conditions and obesity. Participant blood samples were tested for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
About 15% of the liver cancer patients had a history of thyroid disease, compared to 12% of healthy controls. Subjects with a history of hypothyroidism had twice the risk of liver cancer, and were primarily women. Women who had a prior history of hypothyroidism for more than 10 years had a three times higher risk of liver cancer compared to women without a history of thyroid disorders. Obesity did not change the association.
The authors write: "Whether and why hypothyroidism causes HCC is not clear. However, the association between hypothyroidism and NASH can be explained by the underlying hyperlipidemia, decreased fatty acid oxidation insulin resistance and lipid peroxidation in patients with hypothyroidism." These conditions may make the patient susceptible to HCC development.
Source: Physorg.com
May 4th, 2009
More information: "Association Between Hypothyroidism and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: USA Case-Control Study." Hassan, Manal; et al. Hepatology; May 2009.