Bariatric Surgery Linked to Reduced Incidence of Hematologic Cancer

Bariatric surgery is associated with reduced incidence of hematological cancer, especially for women, according to a study published online Sept. 13 in The Lancet Healthy Longevity.

Kajsa Sjöholm, Ph.D., from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, and colleagues examined the association between bariatric surgery and hematological cancer in the Swedish Obesity Subjects study, which was designed to compare mortality in 2,007 participants undergoing bariatric surgery and 2,040 undergoing usual care. Age 37 to 60 years and a body mass index of 34 kg/m² or more in men and 38 kg/m² or more in women before or at the time of examination were the inclusion criteria.

The researchers found that during follow-up, 34 and 51 participants in the surgery and usual care groups, respectively, were diagnosed with hematological cancer (hazard ratio, 0.60). Three and 13 deaths from hematological cancer occurred in the surgery and control groups, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.22). A reduced incidence of lymphoma was also seen in association with surgery (hazard ratio, 0.45). The treatment effect differed between men and women, with a reduced incidence of hematological cancer seen in association with bariatric surgery among women, but not men.

“Bariatric surgery should be considered as a primary prevention resource for people with obesity,” the authors write.