Liver cancer cases will double by 2050—here’s how docs can stop it

Liver cancer rates are projected to nearly double by 2050, according to a new editorial in The Lancet, published last week.^[]

In a recent Instagram Reel, gastroenterologist Supriya Rao, MD, discussed implications of the staggering statistic, what's driving the increase, and what doctors can do about it.

Behind the upward trend

While startling, the trend is reversible, per the report—and Dr. Rao. “Most cases are preventable,” she said. “As a gastroenterologist, I see how it happens.”

According to Dr. Rao, there are four major culprits fueling the rise in liver cancer: metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and obesity; alcohol-related liver disease; hepatitis B and C; and poor diet (high in ultra-processed foods and added sugars, which accelerate fatty liver progression).

What this means for oncologists

Oncologists are uniquely positioned to flag at-risk patients and reinforce prevention:

• Ask about liver screening during routine or follow-up visits for other malignancies, especially if patients have metabolic syndrome, alcohol use, or hepatitis history.

• Collaborate with GI and primary care to initiate liver ultrasounds or elastography when indicated.

• Educate patients on modifiable risk factors, including weight loss and alcohol reduction—conversations that can be pivotal after a cancer diagnosis.

The good news? We have the tools

The projected rise in liver cancer isn’t inevitable. By recognizing preventable patterns and screening early, oncologists can help shift the trajectory—one patient at a time.

Dr. Rao urges a proactive approach using already available resources:

• Vaccinate or screen for hepatitis B and C.

• Limit alcohol use in at-risk populations.

• Encourage regular liver health checks, especially in patients with obesity or diabetes.

• Counsel on nutrition and weight loss strategies to reverse early MASLD.