Bariatric Surgery Linked to Reduced risk of Hematologic Cancer among Obese Patients

Obesity has long been associated with various health risks, including an increased likelihood of developing cancer. However, a recent prospective Swedish study published in the Lancet Health Longevity spanning over three decades has revealed a significant reduction in the risk of hematologic cancers in individuals who underwent bariatric surgery for obesity.

The study, led by Dr. Magdalena Taube and her colleagues from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, examined 4,047 adult participants who were part of the Swedish Obese Subjects cohort. The cohort aimed to compare the health outcomes of individuals with obesity who received bariatric surgery (2,007 participants) with a matched control group (2,040 participants) receiving standard obesity care.

The study conducted in Sweden spanning from September 1987 to January 2001 included 4,047 individuals with obesity. The research found that bariatric surgery was associated with a significantly reduced risk of hematologic cancer over the follow-up period, which extended for several decades.

Key study findings:

● In the surgery group, 34 participants developed hematologic cancer during the study period, compared to 51 participants in the control group.

● Bariatric surgery was linked to a 40% lower risk of developing hematologic cancer (HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.39–0.92; p=0.020).

● The surgery group also had fewer deaths from hematologic cancer, with three deaths compared to 13 in the control group (HR 0.22; 95% CI 0.06–0.76; p=0.017).

● Bariatric surgery was particularly effective in reducing the incidence of lymphoma (HR 0.45; 95% CI 0.23–0.88; p=0.020).

● An intriguing aspect of the study was the gender-specific impact of bariatric surgery. While both men and women benefited from reduced hematologic cancer risk, the effect was more pronounced in women.

● Women who underwent bariatric surgery had a 56% lower risk of developing hematologic cancer, whereas no significant reduction in risk was observed in men (HR 1.35; 95% CI 0.58–3.17; p=0.489).

● This gender-specific difference in the impact of surgery on cancer risk was statistically significant (interaction p=0.031).

The findings suggest that bariatric surgery can serve as an effective preventive measure for hematologic cancer in individuals with obesity. The study also highlights the importance of considering gender-specific factors when assessing the impact of surgical interventions. These results may have significant implications for healthcare providers and policymakers, emphasising the role of bariatric surgery as a primary prevention resource for obesity-associated hematologic cancers.

In a commentary accompanying the study, medical experts emphasised the need to promote lifestyle changes, including nutrition, nutrigenomics, and fasting, as essential components of obesity-associated cancer prevention. More research is encouraged to explore the role of

dietary restrictions and genetics in the fight against obesity-related diseases, especially cancer.

Reference:

Sjöholm, K., Andersson-Assarsson, J. C., Kristensson, F. M., Hjorth, S., Garelius, H. G., Jacobson, P., Svensson, P.-A., Ahlin, S., Carlsson, B., Peltonen, M., Carlsson, L. M. S., & Taube, M. (2023). Long-term incidence of haematological cancer after bariatric surgery or usual care in the Swedish Obese Subjects study: a prospective cohort study. The Lancet. Healthy Longevity. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2666-7568(23)00141-1