Cirrhosis

Chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrous scar tissue and regenerative nodules/lumps leading progressively to loss of liver function.

A chronic, interstitial, inflammation of any organ.

A progressive disease of the liver, often associated with alcoholism, in which healthy cells are replaced by scar tissue.

Liver damage caused by scar tissue; usually caused by long-term alcohol abuse.

Chronic liver disease in which fatty deposits and fibrous connective tissue have replaced functioning liver cells. Cirrhosis may lead to loss of hepatic function and death.

Chronic disease condition of the liver in which fibrous tissue and nodules replace normal tissue, interfering with blood flow and normal functions of the organ, including gastrointestinal functions, hormone metabolism, and alcohol and drug detoxification. The major cause of cirrhosis is chronic alcoholism. Symptoms include nausea, flatulence, light-colored stools, and abdominal discomfort. Treatment is by rest, a protein-rich diet, and abstinence from alcohol. If untreated, liver and kidney failure and gastrointestinal hemorrhage can occur, leading to death.

Inflammation of the liver characterized by nodules and scarring; can be caused by alcoholism, viral hepatitis, or chronic obstruction of the bile ducts.

A chronic disease in which healthy, functioning liver cells degenerate and are gradually replaced by scar tissue. As scar tissue replaces healthy tissue, the liver is less able to remove toxins from the bloodstream and carry out its normal functions. Eventually, if enough liver cells are damaged, liver failure and death result. The scarring can also cause portal hypertension (an increase in the pressure of the blood system of the liver). Portal hypertension can cause esophageal varices (the dilation of the veins of the esophagus), a potentially life-threatening condition in which the veins are prone to bleeding. Cirrhosis also increases the risk for liver cancer.

A condition in which the live responds to injury or death of some of it cells by producing interlacing strands fibrous tissue between which are nodules regenerating cells. The liver becomes tawn and characteristically knobby (due to the nodules). Causes include alcoholism (alcoholic cirrhosis),hepatitis (postnecrotic cirrhosis), chronic obstruction of the common bile duct (secondary biliary cirrhosis), and chronic heart failure (cardiac cirrhosis). In up to half the cases of cirrhosis no cause is found (cryptogenic cirrhosis). Complications include portal hypertension, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatoma. Cirrhosis cannot be cured usually but its progress may be stopped if the cause can be removed. This particularly applies in alcoholism (when all alcohol must be prohibited); in hepatitis (in which corticosteroid treatment may reduce inflammation); in secondary biliary cirrhosis (in which surgery may relieve obstruction); and in cardiac failure that can be treated.

Cirrhosis, or fibrosis, is a condition, in which the proper tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue similar to scar tissue. The name cirrhosis was originally given by Laennec to the disease as occurring in the liver, because of its yellow colour.

A chronic liver disease characterized pathologically by liver scarring with loss of normal hepatic architecture and areas of ineffective regeneration. Clinical symptoms of the disease result from loss of functioning liver cells and increased resistance to blood flow through the liver (portal hypertension).

A deadly disease that replaces healthy liver tissue with scar tissue; most often caused by long-term alcohol abuse.

A type of chronic, progressive liver disease in which liver cells are replaced by scar tissue.

A disease of the liver in which useless scar tissue replaces normal liver tissue.

A medical condition distinguished by the deterioration of normal liver tissue, resulting in the formation of scar tissue that hampers the liver’s ability to metabolize proteins present in the bloodstream. Cirrhosis is commonly linked to portal hypertension.

Cirrhosis is a liver condition caused by prolonged damage to liver cells, resulting in the formation of fibrotic bands internally. These bands lead to the development of nodules consisting of regenerating cells that receive insufficient blood supply. As a consequence, liver function progressively deteriorates, impeding the effective removal of harmful substances from the bloodstream. The distortion and fibrosis further give rise to portal hypertension, characterized by abnormally high blood pressure in the veins that transport blood from the intestines and spleen to the liver.

Excessive alcohol consumption stands as the primary cause of cirrhosis, while another potential cause is chronic hepatitis, a liver inflammation. Although rare, cirrhosis can also stem from bile duct disorders, haemochromatosis characterized by excessive iron absorption, Wilson’s disease involving increased copper absorption, cystic fibrosis resulting in bile duct obstruction due to mucus, and heart failure.

Cirrhosis can remain undetected until the emergence of symptoms like mild jaundice, edema (the buildup of fluid in bodily tissues), and episodes of blood vomiting. Enlargement of the liver and spleen may also occur. In men, liver failure can disrupt the balance of sex hormones, leading to body hair loss and breast enlargement.

Cirrhosis can give rise to various complications, including the development of ascites, which involves the accumulation of fluid within the abdominal cavity. Other complications may include the presence of oesophageal varices, which are enlarged veins located within the wall of the oesophagus, as well as hepatoma, a form of liver cancer. Moreover, cirrhosis can lead to the buildup of toxins in the brain, resulting in symptoms such as confusion and coma.

The primary objective of treatment for cirrhosis is to slow down the progression of liver cell damage, whenever feasible, by addressing the underlying cause. Additionally, any complications that arise will be treated accordingly. In certain instances, despite therapeutic efforts, cirrhosis may advance to a stage where a liver transplant becomes a viable consideration.