Work

Psychological Stress in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Clinical Outcomes and Biological Mechanisms

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Psychological stress is common among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and may influence the disease course beyond its effects on quality of life. However, whether stress contributes to tumor recurrence and survival, and through which biological pathways, remains uncertain. In this Review, we summarize clinical evidence linking anxiety, depression, and chronic stress with peri-treatment recovery and oncologic outcomes in HCC. We then examine how activation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis and sympathetic nervous system reshapes tumor and liver biology through neuroendocrine signaling, immune suppression, stromal remodeling, and metabolic reprogramming. We also review emerging mechanisms involving kynurenine metabolism, gut microbial metabolites, bile acids, mitochondrial dysfunction, and ferroptosis resistance. Finally, we discuss psychological and pharmacological interventions, ongoing clinical studies, and the methodological challenges that currently limit causal inference. Integrating longitudinal psychological assessment with circulating and tissue-based biomarkers will be essential to determine whether stress reduction can improve liver-related and oncologic outcomes in HCC.

Source: Journal of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s649100

Author: Chaojun You

Institutions: Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang Central Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Cancer, Stress, Anesthesia, and Immune Response

Subfield: Cancer Research

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,836