Liver cirrhosis means “fibrotic scarring of the liver.”
When the liver is repeatedly injured by agents such as alcohol or Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C, the liver tries to repair itself by growing new liver cells. Up to a certain point, this repair is incomplete and the liver form fibrotic scars and become harder and shrunken.
In Singapore, the most common cause of liver cirrhosis is chronic hepatitis B. While not every Hepatitis B carrier will become cirrhotic, approximately 20-40% may end up with cirrhosis if their condition is not monitored. Other causes include alcohol, hepatitis C, fatty liver with inflammation and rarer causes such as Autoimmune Liver Disease, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, Wilson’s disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis.
Early liver cirrhosis does not cause problems as the liver has enough reserve capacity to cater to the needs of the body even though it is scarred.
As scarring progresses, liver insufficiency develops, and patient is prone to develop the following complications:
In early or compensated cirrhosis, patients will not have symptoms and may feel normal. Patients may not even know that they have liver cirrhosis. It is important for patients to be monitored by doctors even if they feel well. Ultrasound scan of the liver is the easiest way to diagnose cirrhosis.
In advanced cirrhosis, symptoms of significant liver damage may include:
It is important that you consult a specialist who will help you confirm the condition and establish the cause of it. In many of the cases, if diagnosed early, could be treated and hence prevent further injury and deterioration.
The risk of liver cancer is increased in liver cirrhosis. Six monthly ultrasound and blood test are recommended by our doctor.
Cirrhosis can improve and even reverse in some situations. The main aim of the treatment is to remove the cause of liver injury and to allow the liver to repair itself. With treatment, early cirrhosis can be arrested thus preventing further deterioration. Even when complications develop, many of these complications can be controlled and patients can be maintained at compensated stage (with relatively normal functions). For end-stage liver cirrhosis, liver transplantation serves an alternative for cirrhosis patients.
For more information regarding Liver Cirrhosis and treatments available, please reach out to Dr Andrea Rajnakova at Andrea's Digestive Clinic.