The Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development

Birupaksha Biswas; Angel Saluja; Arohi Singh; Jotishko Biswas; Girraj Dhakad

doi:10.25163/health.3110235

Epidemiology and public health

REVIEWS (Open Access)

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The Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development

Birupaksha Biswas¹, Angel Saluja¹, Arohi Singh¹, Jotishko Biswas², Girraj Dhakad³

+ Author Affiliations

Clinical Epidemiology & Public Health 3(1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/health.3110235

Submitted: 01 March 2025 Revised: 06 May 2025 Published: 08 May 2025

Abstract

Background: The metabolic disorder Diabetes mellitus constitutes a steadily increasing global health problem which produces multiple complications during its progressive course. New epidemiological studies indicate that diabetes mellitus (DM) leads to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development which ranks as the sixth most common cancer type and presents as one of the most frequent cancer-related fatalities. HCC development results from three main factors which link diabetes mellitus to the disease including insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, hyperglycemia and obesity. Methods: This evaluation will consider research from several populations using case-control studies and cohort studies as well as meta-analyses to explore the molecular pathways between DM and HCC while determining the impact of drinking alcohol and viral hepatitis risks to DM patients. Results: We will analyze how antidiabetic medications affect the risk of HCC development in the final part. The risk of developing HCC is doubled to tripled for subjects with diabetes mellitus according to epidemiologic research. The combination of high blood sugar levels creates inflammation alongside oxidative stress but elevated insulin levels coupled with long-running triggers of insulin-like growth factor 1 activity stimulates new liver cell growth. Some studies show that diabetes mellitus increases HCC development risk mainly when hepatitis B and C infections simultaneously occur. The independent risk factor status of diabetes mellitus exists for the development of HCC regardless of additional liver diseases. Conclusion: Current research remains limited about the HCC developmental effects of weight variations caused by antidiabetic medications alongside diabetes mellitus history.

Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma, diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, chronic inflammation, metabolic dysregulation.

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