NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE AND EXTRA-HEPATIC CANCER: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Background: Recently, significant associations between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and extra-hepatic cancer have been reported.

Objective: To carry out a comprehensive review of the current evidence in the literature on the association between NAFLD and extra-hepatic cancer.

Methods: A narrative literature review was performed through an online search for the MeSH terms "fatty liver" and "cancer" in MEDLINE (via PubMed) and LILACS (via BVS). Original studies that described the impact of NAFLD on different types of extra-hepatic malignancies were included.

Results: After careful analysis, nine prospective cohort studies, one retrospective cohort study, three case-control studies, and three cross-sectional studies were selected.

Conclusion: There is consistent evidence on the association between NAFLD and extra-hepatic carcinogenesis, especially in relation to colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, breast, prostate, and bladder cancers.