Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to the buildup of fat in liver cells in people who do not use alcohol regularly.
It can affect 25% of the population, and individuals with this condition typically do not experience symptoms. Some individuals with MASLD will develop inflammation (swelling) and cell damage within the liver, a condition known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). It is typically people with MASH who develop progressive scarring of the liver and complications of liver damage.
MASLD/MASH is associated with a group of related metabolic disorders including being overweight or obese , having high blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and diabetes. These factors can influence each other and change how your body processes nutrients and stores fats.
Certain genes may also make you more likely to develop MASLD, which may help explain why some people develop this condition without any of the other common risk factors.
There is no specific treatment for MASLD; although many new drugs are undergoing clinical trials; and treatment for associated conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or cholesterol is usually recommended.
Eating a healthy diet, limiting alcohol intake and exercising regularly can reduce your risk of MASLD, or progression to MASH
Gallbladder cancer is an abnormal growth of cells that begins in the gallbladder. Your gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of your abdomen, just beneath your liver. The gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by your liver. Gallbladder cancer is a rare form of cancer and can present with abdominal pain or discomfort. However, it can be discovered incidentally (found having routine scans of the abdomen).
Although patients may experience no symptoms, some individuals will present with jaundice, itchy skin, change in the colour of stool and urine, loss of appetite, high temperature, “feeling a lump in the abdomen”, or more general symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or right sided abdominal pain.
The bile ducts connect your liver with your gallbladder and your digestive system (small bowel) and they carry the digestive fluid bile to the small bowel. Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) is a specific type of cancer that forms in the bile ducts.
Symptoms of bile duct cancer are similar to those listed above and include, jaundice, itchy skin, change in the colour of stool and urine, a loss of appetite, fatigue, a high temperature, abdominal pain and nausea.
The severity of gallbladder or bile duct cancers depends on the location, size and spread of the tumour. In addition, your general health needs to be taken into consideration. Treatment for removable (operable) bile duct cancer depends on the location of the cancer but usually involves surgery and chemotherapy.
For bile duct cancer that cannot be removed, treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery (or other procedures) may be performed to bypass blocked bile ducts and relieve jaundice.
Pancreatic cancer is a type of cancer that begins as a growth of cells in the pancreas. The pancreas lies behind the lower part of the stomach. Its function is to make enzymes that help digest food and hormones that help manage blood sugar.
Symptoms of pancreatic cancer usually do not develop until the late stages of the disease. Typical symptoms include jaundice, a high temperature, fatigue, feeling hot or shivery, a loss of appetite, change in the colour of stool and urine, stomach pain, nausea, indigestion, diarrhoea or constipation. Treatment will depend on the location and size of the tumour, if it has spread to other organs (or sites) and your general health.
Pancreatic cysts are pockets of fluid within the pancreas. These cysts are often found by chance (incidentally) on scans, as people may not have any symptoms. Most cysts are not cancerous, though some can become cancerous over time. Some of these cysts may require monitoring over time.
