Figure 2.

The possible mechanisms underlying obesity and thyroid cancer. Elevated serum TSH and other obesity-related comorbidities, including abnormal insulin resistance, chronic low degree inflammation, oxidative stress, abnormalities of the IGF system, and altered secretion of adipokines, could be the possible carcinogenic mechanism underlying obesity and thyroid cancer. Moreover, all of these factors may interplay with each other, forming a vicious cycle. Abbreviations: TSH thyroid-stimulating hormone, IGF insulin-like growth factor.