Fatty Liver Disease, Cirrhosis, and Cancer Risk: What to Know
Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can raise the chance of developing cancer when liver function stops working properly and cirrhosis takes hold. This kind of damage tends to happen after the liver is exposed to harmful factors for a long period. It is important to understand these processes and what they mean for health.
There are two main forms of fatty liver disease. The first form involves the buildup of fat inside liver cells, a condition known as steatotic liver disease. This version is tied to metabolic problems and tends to occur in people who drink little or no alcohol.
The second form is alcoholic liver disease (ALD), which develops from alcohol use. ALD can present in several stages: fatty infiltration of hepatocytes (steatosis), alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis where healthy tissue is replaced by scar tissue, and eventually cirrhosis, an irreversible change in liver structure due to long-term injury.
Both forms of fatty liver disease can progress to cirrhosis and elevate cancer risk. Cancer in the liver generally appears after sustained damage to the organ, often years in the making. When alcohol intake is stopped in ALD or weight loss occurs in steatotic liver disease, the liver can begin a regeneration process. This renewed activity helps restore liver function toward normal levels, though full recovery depends on the extent of damage and ongoing health choices.
Earlier research explored the idea of curing cancer by targeting senescent cells within the body. This concept has informed ongoing studies but has not become a standard treatment in clinical practice. [Citation: medical research summaries]