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Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cirrhosis of the liver is a disease wherein normal liver tissue is
progressively replaced by fibrotic, damaged tissue and nodules.
What are the Causes of Cirrhosis of the Liver?
Chronic Alcoholism (Alcoholic Liver Disease)
People who drink heavily
for a significant period of time face a high risk of developing cirrhosis.
Alcohol damages the cells of the liver by disrupting normal metabolism. A
number of interesting mechanisms have been proposed for the transformation
(inflammation, oxidative stress, etc.) but they all lead to the same result: a
progressive deterioration of liver cells.
Although most people associate cirrhosis solely with alcoholism, there are
in fact several other causes:
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C causes cirrhosis via a progressive inflammatory process.
Other causes may be:
- Hepatitis B and D
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Inherited diseases:
- Wilson’s Disease
- A disorder of copper metabolism
- Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
- Blocked Bile Ducts
- Biliary Atresia
- Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
- Secondary Biliary Cirrhosis
- Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
- An accumulation of fat in the liver associated with diabetes, obesity, and high blood lipid levels
What are the Symptoms and Complications of Cirrhosis of the Liver?
- Nausea
- Abdominal Pain
- Weight Loss/Lack of Appetite
- Weakness/Fatigue
- Ascites (fluid collection in the abdomen)
- Edema (fluid retention in the lower extremities)
- Spider Veins (telangiectasia)
- Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
- Esophageal Varices (enlarged blood vessels in the esophagus that can bleed)
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Liver Cancer
Who Is Likely To Get Cirrhosis?
- Males
- Alcoholics
- Intravenous drug users (via Hepatitis C)
- Those with rare inherited diseases (described above)
What Does Treatment for Cirrhosis Involve?
Unfortunately, cirrhosis
of the liver is not considered a curable condition. However, there have been
some encouraging results with sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, a drug normally used
to treat Crohn’s Disease and IBS. Those with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)
may benefit from ursodiol treatment.
The only well-studied
treatment proven effective for the condition is a liver transplant. Selection
of a compatible and appropriate donor is extremely important, and such donor
organs are quite difficult to procure in a timely fashion.
What Are The Advantages Of Treatment?
A debilitating, progressive disease may be arrested.
How Long Does It Take?
A liver transplant is a
complex and involved procedure, often taking many hours to perform.
How Many Treatments Are Required?
Medication usually needs
to be administered on an ongoing basis. Surgery should be a one-time event, but
if the transplant fails, another attempt with an alternative donor may be
undertaken.
When Will I See Results?
With a liver transplant,
there are immediate results in that the cirrhosis is gone, but there is a host
of new problems related to an organ transplant that must be addressed.
Will I Have Pain?
Pain should be reduced by treatment.
When Can I Go Back To Work Or School?
With transplant surgery, there is an extended period of recovery; you should
talk to your physician.
Who Will Perform My Treatment?
One of our board-certified gastroenterologists will perform the procedure.
How Much Does It Cost?
Please call TopSurgeons at 800-506-8084 for more information.
Will My Insurance Cover Cirrhosis Treatment?
Insurance should cover this condition and any approved treatments.
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