Underactive Thyroid Linked to Liver Cancer Risk

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Underactive Thyroid Linked to Liver Cancer Risk

By Crystal Phend, Staff Writer, MedPage Today

Published: May 06, 2009

Reviewed by Jasmer, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine,

University of California, San Francisco .

SAN FRANCISCO, May 6 -- Long-term hypothyroidism may nearly triple the risk of

developing liver cancer, researchers found. Action Points

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Explain to interested patients that the thyroid produces hormones that play an

important role in lipid metabolism in the liver.

Note that the observational study could not prove causation.

The association was independent of established hepatocellular carcinoma risk

factors, but significant only among women, according to Manal M. Hassan, M.D.,

Ph.D., of the University of Texas M.D. Cancer Center in Houston, and

colleagues.

These case-control study findings shouldn't be surprising, the researchers wrote

in the May issue of Hepatology.

Hypothyroidism has been linked to chronic liver diseases and implicated in the

pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is considered a

predisposing condition for liver cancer.

This may result from the essential role of thyroid hormones in lipid

mobilization and degradation and fatty acid oxidation, Dr. Hassan's group said.

When they're out of balance, " all of these conditions may enhance the

susceptibility to chronic inflammation, DNA damage, and hepatocellular carcinoma

development. "

In the study, an underactive thyroid increased hepatocellular carcinoma risk

independent of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (adjusted odds ratio 2.0, 95%

CI 1.2 to 3.3) and independent of diabetes (adjusted OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.3).

Together, though, these factors appeared to have more than an additive effect

(adjusted OR 34.3 for hypothyroidism plus HCV and 7.9 for hypothyroidism plus

diabetes, respectively).

" Screening and proper management of thyroid diseases in patients with diabetes

or hepatitis C virus infection may help prevent hepatocellular cancer, " they

said.

The ongoing hospital-based case-control study involved 420 hepatocellular

carcinoma patients newly diagnosed at M.D. .

The controls included 1,104 healthy, genetically unrelated family members (such

as spouses and in-laws) of M.D. patients with cancers other than liver,

gastrointestinal, lung, or head and neck.

Overall, more of the hepatocellular carcinoma cases than controls reported a

history of thyroid disease (15.0% versus 12.1%).

Likewise, a history of hypothyroidism -- the most common type of thyroid disease

-- was significantly more common among cases than controls (11.7% versus 8.0%,

P=0.03).

Long-term hypothyroidism of more than three-years duration conferred a

significant, 2.1-fold excess risk of liver cancer, compared with no history of

thyroid disorders.

The multivariate analysis found the association only among women.

Women with a prior, long-term history of hypothyroidism for three to 10 years

had a 2.6-fold higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (95% CI 1.0 to 7.2). For

women with a history of hypothyroidism lasting more than 10 years, the risk was

2.9 times as high (P

[Guest guest]

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Endocrinology/Thyroid/14070?userid=23283 & impressionI\

d=1249533227127 & utm_source=mSpoke & utm_medium=email & utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines & u\

tm_content=Group1>

Underactive Thyroid Linked to Liver Cancer Risk

By Crystal Phend, Staff Writer, MedPage Today

Published: May 06, 2009

Reviewed by Jasmer, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine,

University of California, San Francisco .

SAN FRANCISCO, May 6 -- Long-term hypothyroidism may nearly triple the risk of

developing liver cancer, researchers found. Action Points

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Explain to interested patients that the thyroid produces hormones that play an

important role in lipid metabolism in the liver.

Note that the observational study could not prove causation.

The association was independent of established hepatocellular carcinoma risk

factors, but significant only among women, according to Manal M. Hassan, M.D.,

Ph.D., of the University of Texas M.D. Cancer Center in Houston, and

colleagues.

These case-control study findings shouldn't be surprising, the researchers wrote

in the May issue of Hepatology.

Hypothyroidism has been linked to chronic liver diseases and implicated in the

pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is considered a

predisposing condition for liver cancer.

This may result from the essential role of thyroid hormones in lipid

mobilization and degradation and fatty acid oxidation, Dr. Hassan's group said.

When they're out of balance, " all of these conditions may enhance the

susceptibility to chronic inflammation, DNA damage, and hepatocellular carcinoma

development. "

In the study, an underactive thyroid increased hepatocellular carcinoma risk

independent of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (adjusted odds ratio 2.0, 95%

CI 1.2 to 3.3) and independent of diabetes (adjusted OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.3).

Together, though, these factors appeared to have more than an additive effect

(adjusted OR 34.3 for hypothyroidism plus HCV and 7.9 for hypothyroidism plus

diabetes, respectively).

" Screening and proper management of thyroid diseases in patients with diabetes

or hepatitis C virus infection may help prevent hepatocellular cancer, " they

said.

The ongoing hospital-based case-control study involved 420 hepatocellular

carcinoma patients newly diagnosed at M.D. .

The controls included 1,104 healthy, genetically unrelated family members (such

as spouses and in-laws) of M.D. patients with cancers other than liver,

gastrointestinal, lung, or head and neck.

Overall, more of the hepatocellular carcinoma cases than controls reported a

history of thyroid disease (15.0% versus 12.1%).

Likewise, a history of hypothyroidism -- the most common type of thyroid disease

-- was significantly more common among cases than controls (11.7% versus 8.0%,

P=0.03).

Long-term hypothyroidism of more than three-years duration conferred a

significant, 2.1-fold excess risk of liver cancer, compared with no history of

thyroid disorders.

The multivariate analysis found the association only among women.

Women with a prior, long-term history of hypothyroidism for three to 10 years

had a 2.6-fold higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (95% CI 1.0 to 7.2). For

women with a history of hypothyroidism lasting more than 10 years, the risk was

2.9 times as high (P

[Guest guest]

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Endocrinology/Thyroid/14070?userid=23283 & impressionI\

d=1249533227127 & utm_source=mSpoke & utm_medium=email & utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines & u\

tm_content=Group1>

Underactive Thyroid Linked to Liver Cancer Risk

By Crystal Phend, Staff Writer, MedPage Today

Published: May 06, 2009

Reviewed by Jasmer, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine,

University of California, San Francisco .

SAN FRANCISCO, May 6 -- Long-term hypothyroidism may nearly triple the risk of

developing liver cancer, researchers found. Action Points

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Explain to interested patients that the thyroid produces hormones that play an

important role in lipid metabolism in the liver.

Note that the observational study could not prove causation.

The association was independent of established hepatocellular carcinoma risk

factors, but significant only among women, according to Manal M. Hassan, M.D.,

Ph.D., of the University of Texas M.D. Cancer Center in Houston, and

colleagues.

These case-control study findings shouldn't be surprising, the researchers wrote

in the May issue of Hepatology.

Hypothyroidism has been linked to chronic liver diseases and implicated in the

pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is considered a

predisposing condition for liver cancer.

This may result from the essential role of thyroid hormones in lipid

mobilization and degradation and fatty acid oxidation, Dr. Hassan's group said.

When they're out of balance, " all of these conditions may enhance the

susceptibility to chronic inflammation, DNA damage, and hepatocellular carcinoma

development. "

In the study, an underactive thyroid increased hepatocellular carcinoma risk

independent of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (adjusted odds ratio 2.0, 95%

CI 1.2 to 3.3) and independent of diabetes (adjusted OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.3).

Together, though, these factors appeared to have more than an additive effect

(adjusted OR 34.3 for hypothyroidism plus HCV and 7.9 for hypothyroidism plus

diabetes, respectively).

" Screening and proper management of thyroid diseases in patients with diabetes

or hepatitis C virus infection may help prevent hepatocellular cancer, " they

said.

The ongoing hospital-based case-control study involved 420 hepatocellular

carcinoma patients newly diagnosed at M.D. .

The controls included 1,104 healthy, genetically unrelated family members (such

as spouses and in-laws) of M.D. patients with cancers other than liver,

gastrointestinal, lung, or head and neck.

Overall, more of the hepatocellular carcinoma cases than controls reported a

history of thyroid disease (15.0% versus 12.1%).

Likewise, a history of hypothyroidism -- the most common type of thyroid disease

-- was significantly more common among cases than controls (11.7% versus 8.0%,

P=0.03).

Long-term hypothyroidism of more than three-years duration conferred a

significant, 2.1-fold excess risk of liver cancer, compared with no history of

thyroid disorders.

The multivariate analysis found the association only among women.

Women with a prior, long-term history of hypothyroidism for three to 10 years

had a 2.6-fold higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (95% CI 1.0 to 7.2). For

women with a history of hypothyroidism lasting more than 10 years, the risk was

2.9 times as high (P

[Guest guest]

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Endocrinology/Thyroid/14070?userid=23283 & impressionI\

d=1249533227127 & utm_source=mSpoke & utm_medium=email & utm_campaign=DailyHeadlines & u\

tm_content=Group1>

Underactive Thyroid Linked to Liver Cancer Risk

By Crystal Phend, Staff Writer, MedPage Today

Published: May 06, 2009

Reviewed by Jasmer, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine,

University of California, San Francisco .

SAN FRANCISCO, May 6 -- Long-term hypothyroidism may nearly triple the risk of

developing liver cancer, researchers found. Action Points

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Explain to interested patients that the thyroid produces hormones that play an

important role in lipid metabolism in the liver.

Note that the observational study could not prove causation.

The association was independent of established hepatocellular carcinoma risk

factors, but significant only among women, according to Manal M. Hassan, M.D.,

Ph.D., of the University of Texas M.D. Cancer Center in Houston, and

colleagues.

These case-control study findings shouldn't be surprising, the researchers wrote

in the May issue of Hepatology.

Hypothyroidism has been linked to chronic liver diseases and implicated in the

pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is considered a

predisposing condition for liver cancer.

This may result from the essential role of thyroid hormones in lipid

mobilization and degradation and fatty acid oxidation, Dr. Hassan's group said.

When they're out of balance, " all of these conditions may enhance the

susceptibility to chronic inflammation, DNA damage, and hepatocellular carcinoma

development. "

In the study, an underactive thyroid increased hepatocellular carcinoma risk

independent of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (adjusted odds ratio 2.0, 95%

CI 1.2 to 3.3) and independent of diabetes (adjusted OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.3).

Together, though, these factors appeared to have more than an additive effect

(adjusted OR 34.3 for hypothyroidism plus HCV and 7.9 for hypothyroidism plus

diabetes, respectively).

" Screening and proper management of thyroid diseases in patients with diabetes

or hepatitis C virus infection may help prevent hepatocellular cancer, " they

said.

The ongoing hospital-based case-control study involved 420 hepatocellular

carcinoma patients newly diagnosed at M.D. .

The controls included 1,104 healthy, genetically unrelated family members (such

as spouses and in-laws) of M.D. patients with cancers other than liver,

gastrointestinal, lung, or head and neck.

Overall, more of the hepatocellular carcinoma cases than controls reported a

history of thyroid disease (15.0% versus 12.1%).

Likewise, a history of hypothyroidism -- the most common type of thyroid disease

-- was significantly more common among cases than controls (11.7% versus 8.0%,

P=0.03).

Long-term hypothyroidism of more than three-years duration conferred a

significant, 2.1-fold excess risk of liver cancer, compared with no history of

thyroid disorders.

The multivariate analysis found the association only among women.

Women with a prior, long-term history of hypothyroidism for three to 10 years

had a 2.6-fold higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (95% CI 1.0 to 7.2). For

women with a history of hypothyroidism lasting more than 10 years, the risk was

2.9 times as high (P