My GP dismissed my son's concerns he could get cancer from his fatty liver. What can he do? Ask DR MARTIN SCURR By Dr Martin Scurr For The Daily Mail Published: 11:54, 24 June 2024 | Updated: 11:54, 24 June 2024 e-mail View comments My son, 48, is a recovering alcoholic who hasn’t touched a drink for six months. He was recently diagnosed with fatty liver — he’s read it can cause cancer and is extremely anxious, although his GP didn’t think there was anything to worry about.
My son is otherwise active and now looks after himself. Name and address supplied. Dr Martin Scurr replies: Fatty liver is a very common condition; essentially as the name suggests, fat builds up in the liver, which affects its function and can cause damage over time.
Broadly speaking there are two types of fatty liver disease: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is associated with obesity — and is now officially known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Many people who have it in fact drink little alcohol . Fatty liver is a very common condition; essentially as the name suggests, fat builds up in the liver, which affects its function and can cause damage over time Your son has the other type, metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated liver disease (MetALD), where there’s not only a build-up of fat, but also inflammation and damage caused by alcohol consumption.
Both types of fatty liver disease can lead to scarring (cirrhosis), which is a risk factor fo.
