Metabolic syndrome is characterized by an increase in abdominal diameter, as well as increased blood pressure, triglycerides, glucose, and a decrease good colesterol (HDL). Approximately 70 percent of patients with fatty liver have metabolic syndrome.
The risk of developing fatty liver disease is between 4 and 11 times higher in patients with metabolic syndrome. In addition, liver disease is more aggressive in patients with metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease.
Patients with metabolic syndrome have a higher risk of developing cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, as has been demonstrated in several studies.
A study published in the journal Hepatology investigated the posible relationship between metabolic syndrome and bile duct cáncer (cholangiocarcinoma). The study included 4,932,211 individuals recruited through routine checkups, of whom 2,029,759 had metabolic syndrome. Patients with metabolic syndrome showed a significantly higher incidence of cholangiocarcinoma. This association was most significant among individuals aged 50 to 59 years.
In summary, metabolic syndrome is associated with a higher probability of developing bile duct cancer. Given the high frequency with which metabolic syndrome is associated with fatty liver, between 40% and 70% of patients with metabolic syndrome have fatty liver, and this relationship must be extended to cholangiocarcinoma (in fact, other studies have demonstrated an association between fatty liver and cholangiocarcinoma). Both Dr. Carreño and the foundation’s doctors agree with these results. In this regard, it is important to treat the various parameters that make up metabolic syndrome (blood pressure, waist circumference, triglyceride levels, glucose, and HDL cholesterol) to reduce the probability of developing bile duct cancer.
