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Diagnosis & Treatment

Cirrhosis

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How is Cirrhosis Diagnosed?

Diagnosis

Cirrhosis of the liver is typically diagnosed through a hepatologist (liver specialist). It involves an investigation of personal health history, including how much alcohol is regularly consumed, and risk factors for hepatitis. A physical exam can check for symptoms such as an enlarged liver or tenderness in the abdomen.

To confirm a cirrhosis diagnosis, your doctor may request the following tests:

  • Blood tests can determine how well the liver is functioning. Specific tests can check for abnormal enzyme levels, including increased levels of bilirubin and decreased levels of proteins.
  • Hepatitis B or C testing. A blood test can determine if you have viral infections, particularly hepatitis B or C, that can cause cirrhosis.
  • Imaging tests. An ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI can detect a hardening or stiffening of the liver.
  • Liver biopsy. A sample of liver tissue may help determine how severe the liver damage is and an underlying cause.

How is Cirrhosis Treated?

Treatment

Normally, there is no cure for cirrhosis, and the damage to the liver is permanent. Treatments for cirrhosis focus on slowing down or stopping the damage. Clinical trials to evaluate treatments that reverse liver scarring are ongoing.

Although the scarring from cirrhosis may be permanent, it is still possible to live a long life if you take immediate action and address any symptoms. Cirrhosis treatment options include a change in lifestyle habits, addressing underlying issues and complications, and undergoing a liver transplant if required.

Lifestyle changes

In the early stages of cirrhosis, you can prevent further liver damage by changing your lifestyle habits, including:

  • Stop drinking alcohol. If excessive alcohol consumption caused your cirrhosis, you must stop drinking immediately. If you are dependent on alcohol, your healthcare provider can recommend detox and alcohol treatment programs. Anyone diagnosed with cirrhosis should refrain from drinking.
  • Weight loss, healthy diet, and exercise, particularly if you have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Losing weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise may help reduce inflammation and fat in the liver.

Treating underlying conditions & complications

Addressing complications and underlying cirrhosis conditions is key to stopping future liver damage and maintaining quality of life. Conditions and complications include:

  • Chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Doctors will treat forms of hepatitis with prescribed antiviral medications.
  • Autoimmune hepatitis. Medication can be administered to suppress your immune system.
  • Bile duct diseases can be treated with medications and/or procedures to open blocked or narrowed bile ducts.
  • Infections. Infection can be treated with a prescribed antibiotic.
  • Portal hypertension. Medication can help portal hypertension by lowering high blood pressure in the portal vein, and treating enlarged veins (varices), edema, and build-up of fluid in the abdomen (ascites).
  • Liver cancer. Liver cancer can be treated with a combination of radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and surgery (including liver transplant).

Liver transplant

A liver transplant may be the only option in advanced stages of cirrhosis. Your doctor will evaluate you to see if you qualify to be put on the list to receive one from a donor.

Candidates for a liver transplant must undergo testing to determine whether they are healthy enough for the surgery, including if they can maintain a life-long commitment to abstain from alcohol.

FAQs

FAQs

Individuals with compensated cirrhosis have an average life expectancy of 12 years. People with decompensated cirrhosis have a median survival rate of approximately 2 years.

Ascites occurs at the end-stage of cirrhosis, causing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention.

Initial signs of cirrhosis can include weight loss, weakness, redness on the hand palms, nausea, itchy skin, and spiderlike blood vessels on the skin.

A liver damaged by cirrhosis may be yellowed or tan in color, shrunken, nodular, or enlarged in cases of fatty liver disease or alcoholism.

Heavy drinking, a known cause of cirrhosis, is defined as having 8 or more drinks a week for women, 15 or more for men, on a consistent basis and/or binge drinking (4 or more drinks on an occasion for a woman or 5 or more drinks on an occasion for men).

 

This content has been reviewed by the following medical editors.

Danielle Brandman, MD

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Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Cirrhosis Treatment

At NewYork-Presbyterian, our Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation features specialists familiar with cirrhosis symptoms and its complications, plus state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and specialized treatments—all through one medical center. Our hepatologists (liver specialists), liver surgeons, nurses, and dieticians are here to provide quality care for cirrhosis of the liver patients.