Author information

¹Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America.

²The Global NASH Council, Washington, DC, United States of America; Beatty Liver and Obesity Research Program, Inova Health System, Falls Church, VA, United States of America; Center for Outcomes Research in Liver Diseases, Washington, DC, United States of America.

³The Global NASH Council, Washington, DC, United States of America; Beatty Liver and Obesity Research Program, Inova Health System, Falls Church, VA, United States of America; Center for Outcomes Research in Liver Diseases, Washington, DC, United States of America. Electronic address: zobair.younossi@cldq.org.

Abstract

Metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a growing global health concern with significant implications for oncogenesis. This review synthesizes current evidence on the association between MASLD and cancer risk, highlighting its role as a risk factor for both intrahepatic and extrahepatic malignancies. MASLD is increasingly recognized as a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with its incidence rising in parallel with the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction. Furthermore, MASLD is associated with an elevated risk of various gastrointestinal cancers, including colorectal, esophageal, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. Beyond the digestive tract, evidence suggests that MASLD may also contribute to an increased risk of other cancers such as breast, prostate, thyroid, gynecological, renal and lung cancers. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these associations and the impact of MASLD on cancer risk is crucial for developing targeted screening and prevention strategies.