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Hyperplasia Functions as a Link between Obesity and Cancer
Sophie Pénisson1,2,3,4, Maren Weischer5, Lu Li6
1CNRS, LAMA UMPR8050, Université Paris Est Creteil, Université Gustave Eiffel, Creteil, France.
Cancer Research
|March 24, 2026
Summary
Obesity increases organ size, primarily through cell proliferation (hyperplasia), raising cancer risk. Larger organs in obese individuals correlate with a higher likelihood of developing cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Metabolic disease
- Cell biology
Background:
- Obesity is a known risk factor for multiple cancers.
- The biological mechanisms linking obesity to cancer are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and organ size.
- To determine the cellular mechanisms of organ enlargement in obesity.
- To assess the correlation between organ volume and cancer risk.
Main Methods:
- Measured liver, pancreas, and kidney volumes in 747 adults across a wide BMI range.
- Quantified kidney cell numbers using autopsy and biopsy data.
- Correlated organ volume ratios with cancer risk.
Main Results:
- Higher BMI strongly correlated with increased liver, kidney, and pancreas volumes.
- Kidney enlargement was attributed to 61% hyperplasia and 39% hypertrophy.
- Increased organ volume significantly correlated with elevated cancer risk across organs.
Conclusions:
- Obesity-induced organ expansion, mainly via hyperplasia, increases the number of cells vulnerable to malignant transformation.
- This provides a mechanistic link between obesity and cancer risk, complementing other known pathways.
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