Colorectal cancer in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: an international Delphi consensus statement.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) significantly increases colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, especially with greater disease severity and metabolic burden, according to expert consensus.

• Why it matters: MASLD is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide and shares risk factors and mechanisms with CRC, yet optimal strategies for risk identification and management are lacking, risking delayed diagnosis and intervention.
• What they did: A panel of 35 international experts evaluated 17 statements through a Delphi survey, focusing on epidemiology, pathogenesis, and management, to reach consensus on CRC risk in MASLD patients.
• The result: The consensus confirms that MASLD elevates CRC risk and highlights lifestyle interventions, early screening, bariatric surgery, and GLP-1 receptor agonists as key strategies to reduce this risk, advocating for earlier, personalized screening approaches.