Organ size increases with obesity and correlates with cancer risk

TL;DR

This study reveals that organ sizes increase with obesity and are strongly linked to higher cancer risk, providing a mechanistic understanding of obesity-related cancer development.

Contribution

It demonstrates a significant correlation between organ volume and BMI, and links increased organ size to elevated cancer risk, offering new insights into obesity-related cancer mechanisms.

Findings

Organ volumes correlate with BMI (median r=0.625, P<10-47)

Organ size increase is significantly associated with higher cancer risk (P<10-12)

Larger organs may contain more cells at risk of becoming cancerous

Abstract

Obesity increases significantly cancer risk in various organs. Although this has been recognized for decades, the mechanism through which this happens has never been explained. Here, we show that the volumes of kidneys, pancreas, and liver are strongly correlated (median correlation = 0.625; P-value<10-47) with the body mass index (BMI) of an individual. We also find a significant relationship between the increase in organ volume and the increase in cancer risk (P-value<10-12). These results provide a mechanism explaining why obese individuals have higher cancer risk in several organs: the larger the organ volume the more cells at risk of becoming cancerous. These findings are important for a better understanding of the effects obesity has on cancer risk and, more generally, for the development of better preventive strategies to limit the mortality caused by obesity.