Reviewed by Dr. Clement J. Cheng
Cirrhosis occurs when healthy liver cells are damaged and replaced by scar tissue. A diagnosis of cirrhosis means that the liver can no longer properly remove waste products from the blood. Severe liver damage can lead to liver failure and even death.
Another danger of cirrhosis is the danger posed by the scar tissue. Dense scarring slows normal blood flow through the liver, causing the blood to find alternate paths to the heart. This leads to increased pressure in the veins between the intestines and spleen to the liver. Due to added pressure, cirrhosis sometimes causes the blood vessels in the esophagus to rupture.
Alcohol abuse is the leading cause of cirrhosis. Other causes include chronic hepatitis, congenital disorders of the bile drainage system, cystic fibrosis, and increased iron and copper absorption.
Cirrhosis of the liver cannot be reversed or cured except, in some cases, through a liver transplant. The chances of slowing down the disease are better the earlier it is detected.
The liver is the largest organ in the body. It weighs three pounds and is roughly the size of a football. The liver is an essential part of the digestive system—it produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and then released into the small intestine where it helps break down fatty food. The liver also helps maintain the proper composition of blood by regulating the amounts of fat, protein, and sugar that enter the bloodstream. The alcohol, drugs, and harmful chemicals that enter the body are detoxified by the liver. It is a vital part of the immune system due to its role in the removal of bacteria and viruses from the blood.
The liver is a resilient organ. Even after 70 percent of its mass is removed or destroyed, it can still function (with slightly decreased effectiveness). If the conditions that caused the destruction are removed, the liver can usually bounce back. Though function cannot be restored to the parts of the organ affected by scar tissue, the patient can lead a healthy life with the remaining parts if the cirrhosis is caught in time.
