According to a research study by the University of Exeter Medical School in the United Kingdom, men with hemochromatosis, a common genetic disorder due to iron build-up, are ten times more likely to develop liver cancer.
What is Hemochromatosis?
Hemochromatosis, also called the iron-overload disease, is a condition where too much iron builds up in the body. Usually, the intestines absorb adequate amounts of iron and excrete the rest.
With hemochromatosis, excess iron is absorbed by the intestines, and the body has no way of getting rid of it. As a result, iron gets built up in joints, the pituitary gland, and organs like the liver, heart, and pancreas.
This gradually results in the shutting down of these organs if hemochromatosis is not treated.
Hemochromatosis is more serious in men. Women may be partially protected as they lose some iron during menstruation and childbirth.
Some common symptoms associated with hemochromatosis include:
- Joint pain
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Low sex drive
- Abdominal pain
The HFE Gene
HFE gene is associated with iron homeostasis. A variant (type) of the HFE gene, called the C282Y (the faulty type), is significantly associated with hereditary hemochromatosis.
According to a study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics, the C282Y variant contributes to 26% variation in ferritin levels among monozygotic twins.
Hemochromatosis and Liver Cancer
With hemochromatosis, the iron build-up is commonly seen in the liver. This enlarges the liver and messes up the liver enzymes. It can result in an increased risk of liver conditions like cirrhosis, fibrosis, and cancer.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a primary form of liver cancer, was the first condition in which hepatic iron overload was shown to predispose to the development of HCC.
According to a study, 8-10% of people with hemochromatosis develop HCC.
The Study
The study was led by the University of Exeter Medical School along with the University of Connecticut, Western University in Ontario, and South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust.
This study focused on men and women with two copies of the faulty HFE gene – C282Y. The data of 2890 people aged 40-70 years were analyzed over a nine-year period.
The following were observed:
- 21 out of the 1,294 men with faulty genes developed liver cancer
- 14 out of these 21 men died of liver cancer
- 10 out of these 21 men were not diagnosed with hemochromatosis by the time they developed liver cancer
- **More than 7% of the men** with two faulty genes develop liver cancer by 75 years of age
- No increase in liver cancer risk was found in women with the faulty genes
The study insists on the importance of early diagnosis of hemochromatosis in order to avoid health complications and even death.
The NHS advises that “it is important to talk to your GP if you have a parent or sibling with hemochromatosis, even if you don’t have symptoms yourself” to identify your risk.
The lack of impact on women from the faulty HFE gene variant may suggest that periodic blood donations might play a protective role.
Summary
- Hemochromatosis is a condition where your body absorbs too much iron resulting in its build-up in joints and organs. It leads to complications like low sex drive, fatigue, and abdominal pain.
- When iron builds up in the liver, it can alter the size of the liver and disturb the liver enzymes. Both these factors contribute to the increased susceptibility to liver diseases like fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer.
- The HFE gene is associated with the regulation of iron levels in the body. The faulty type of the HFE gene called C282Y increases your risk for hemochromatosis.
- A study by the University of Exeter Medical School revealed that men with two copies of the faulty gene are at an increased risk of developing liver cancer. According to the study, by the age of 75, more than 7% of these men had developed liver cancer. No association was found in women with the faulty genes and liver cancer risk.
- Genetic testing, which analyzes your HFE gene type, is a key way to prevent and manage hemochromatosis. The NHS advises people who have a sibling or a close family member with hemochromatosis to talk to their healthcare provider for suitable tests.
