Pronounced: sur-O-sis
Cirrhosis is a disease in which the liver becomes permanently damaged, and the structure of the liver is permanently altered. In cirrhosis, normal areas of liver are replaced by scarred areas.
Cirrhosis occurs when cells in the liver are damaged and scar tissue forms. This scar tissue causes blood flow to be blocked and waste products to build up in the body.
Causes of cirrhosis include:
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors include:
Cirrhosis often causes no symptoms early in the disease process. Symptoms start when the liver begins to fail, as scar tissue replaces healthy cells. Symptom severity depends on the extent of liver damage.
Early symptoms include:
Later symptoms, some due to complications, include:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.
Tests may include:
Blood tests—to assess how well the liver is working and determine a cause
CT scan , ultrasound , or liver/spleen scan—to identify changes in the liver
Liver biopsy —analyzing a sample of liver tissue removed via a thin needle inserted through the abdomen and into the liver
Laparoscopy —looking at the liver via a thin tube with a lighted tip inserted through a small incision near the belly button
Other tests may include:
There is no treatment to cure cirrhosis. The goals of treatment are to:
Treatments include:
Doctors prescribe drugs to:
Liver transplant —may be performed if:
Endoscopy—This is used to tie off bleeding blood vessels (varices) or inject drugs to cause clotting. A thin tool with a lighted tip is inserted down the throat to help the doctor see and access the varices, which are located in the esophagus.
If you are diagnosed with cirrhosis, follow your doctor's instructions .
To decrease the risk of cirrhosis:
RESOURCES:
American College of Gastroenterology
http://www.acg.gi.org
American Gastroenterological Association
http://www.gastro.org
American Liver Foundation
http://www.liverfoundation.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Liver Foundation
http://www.liver.ca
References:
American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://www.aafp.org/ . Accessed October 11, 2005.
American Gastroenterological Association website. Available at: http://www.gastro.org . Accessed October 11, 2005.
Cirrhosis. National Guideline Clearinghouse website. Available at: http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?view_id=1&doc_id=7054 . Accessed October 11, 2005.
Dambro MR. Griffith's 5-Minute Clinical Consult, 1999 ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1999.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/ . Accessed October 11, 2005.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Daus Mahnke, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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