Influence of risk factors for metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease on the progression and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: We investigated a relationship between the risk factors for metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, and the pathogenesis and outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: One hundred twenty four patients who underwent curative resections for HCC were classified into 3 groups: those patients who were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (group B), those positive for antibody to hepatitis C virus (group C), and those negative for both of them (non-B non-C) (group NBNC). The preoperative laboratory data, risk factors for metabolic syndrome, history of alcohol abuse, and outcome after surgery were investigated. The presence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was also evaluated.

Results: The incidence of diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and alcohol abuse, and the serum level of triglyceride were significantly higher in group NBNC than in groups B or C. The risk factors for metabolic syndrome tended to lower the survival rates in group B and C, but not in group NBNC. Three of the 37 non-B non-C patients were associated with NASH.

Conclusions: It is suggested that the pathogenesis of non-B non-C HCC may be more closely associated with the risk factors for metabolic syndrome than that of hepatitis virus related HCC.