Liver Cirrhosis
Liver cirrhosis is a condition in which healthy liver tissue is gradually replaced by scar tissue. Over time, this scarring disrupts normal liver structure and function, affecting how the body processes nutrients, hormones, medications, and toxins. Cirrhosis is usually the result of long-term liver injury from causes such as chronic hepatitis, alcohol use, fatty liver disease, or genetic conditions.
What is it?
Liver cirrhosis develops after years of ongoing liver damage and healing. As the liver tries to repair itself, scar tissue forms and gradually replaces healthy cells. This scarring distorts normal blood flow through the liver and can interfere with its many important functions, including filtering toxins, producing proteins, and aiding digestion.
Common causes include chronic hepatitis B or C, long-term heavy alcohol use, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, certain genetic or metabolic disorders, and autoimmune liver diseases. Imaging can show a nodular liver surface, changes in liver size or shape, enlarged spleen, and signs of increased pressure in the portal vein system (portal hypertension).
Important to Know
Cirrhosis is often “silent” in early stages, but as scarring becomes more advanced, complications can develop. These may include fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites), swelling in the legs, enlarged veins in the esophagus or stomach (varices) that can bleed, confusion from toxin buildup (hepatic encephalopathy), and an increased risk of liver cancer. Imaging helps identify these complications and assess the overall severity of disease.
Red flag symptoms include vomiting blood or passing black, tarry stools, sudden abdominal swelling, confusion, severe jaundice, or shortness of breath, all of which require urgent medical attention. People with cirrhosis often need regular imaging and blood tests to monitor for liver cancer and to track disease progression. Early diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause can slow or sometimes partially reverse liver damage.