Association of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease with Extrahepatic Cancers and Sarcopenia

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) represents a growing global health concern affecting approximately 38% of the adult population worldwide. Beyond its primary hepatic complications, MASLD has emerged as a systemic disorder with significant extrahepatic manifestations. This comprehensive review examines the epidemiologic evidence and pathophysiological mechanisms linking MASLD to extrahepatic malignancies and sarcopenia. Recent meta-analyses demonstrate that MASLD is associated with a 1.3-fold to 2.6-fold increased risk of various cancers, particularly gastrointestinal, breast, and gynecologic malignancies. Additionally, MASLD patients show an approximately 2-fold higher risk of developing sarcopenia, with prevalence rates reaching 23.5%.