26th ed. They may also recommend imaging tests like an MR elastogram that checks for scarring in the liver or an MRI of the abdomen, CT scan or an ultrasound. It can either act alone or combine with other factors, such as hepatitis C, alcohol, or even both. These are the leading causes of liver disease. Ongoing viral hepatitis (hepatitis B, C and D). The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates there are 4.9 million people in the United States living with cirrhosis. The liver breaks down alcohol. The skin area around your liver would become quite painful and hot. Despite its severity, the condition is not rare. Pain is reported by up to 82% of people who have cirrhosis and more than half of these individuals say their pain is long-lasting (chronic). Sign up for free, and receive liver transplant and decompensated cirrhosis content, plus expertise on liver health. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/01/2020. The timeline of how cirrhosis causes death starts from simple inflammation. Even though not all occurrences are due to alcohol abuse, people with this condition can benefit from avoiding alcohol completely, as experts recommend. The death certificate issued for actress Elizabeth Pea shows "cirrhosis of the liver due to alcohol" as one of the four listed causes of her sudden death last week. You are more likely to get cirrhosis of the liver if you: No, cirrhosis of the liver isnt cancer. Compensated cirrhosis: People with compensated cirrhosis do not show symptoms, while life expectancy is around 912 years. If you dont treat inflammation, your inflamed liver would begin to scar. Last medically reviewed on November 17, 2020, Cirrhosis is a liver condition that causes irreversible scarring on the liver. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Portal hypertension is responsible for the appearance of esophageal varices, it also generates intraabdominal varicosities dilatations, especially in the perisplenic and mesenteric veins, as well as esophageal, and they are susceptible to breaking and bleeding within the peritoneal cavity. Many types of liver diseases and conditions injure healthy liver cells, causing cell death and inflammation. Each time your liver is injured whether by excessive alcohol consumption or another cause, such as infection it tries to repair itself. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. You and your healthcare provider or team will work together to determine whats causing your cirrhosis and what complications may have resulted from your cirrhosis and treat them accordingly. Raised level of alpha-fetoprotein (indicates presence of liver cancer). If we combine this information with your protected Having a diagnosis of cirrhosis of the liver doesnt mean you have an immediately fatal condition. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Spontaneous hemoperitoneum secondary to rupture of intraabdominal varices is a serious and often deadly condition. In describing the damage to the liver and long-term excessive alcohol intake, put the following terms in order, starting from the first to occur to the last to develop. When blood doesn't clot properly, bruising and bleeding can occur spontaneously. Abdominal pain. For instance, if you have non-alcohol related fatty liver disease and have obesity, you may also have osteoarthritis and cirrhosis makes your bone and joint pain worse. Learn. Even this would require serious management because some of the complications are deadly. Jan. 8, 2023. Some of the common causes of fibrosis include viruses, heavy drinking, fat buildup, inherited diseases, autoimmune diseases, and drug toxic effects. During an acute or chronic hepatitis infection, toxic substances from the liver can accumulate in the bloodstream and spread (or disseminate) throughout the body. UpToDate. So these healthy parts will overwork themselves and, as such, damage the process. INR (international normalized ratio). As their health deteriorates, patients often experience debilitating symptoms, psychological stress, family worries, financial problems, social stigma, and existential distress. Following a diagnosis of bacterial peritonitis, an oral antibiotic will be prescribed for daily use to prevent recurrence of infection. Is cirrhosis a death sentence? Cirrhosis often has no symptoms until liver damage is severe. How Cirrhosis Causes Death The initial clinical manifestations of hemoperitoneum include pain and distension with increased abdominal diameter, besides dizziness or syncope. As more scar tissue forms in the liver, it becomes harder for it to function. To prevent progressing from the asymptomatic to the symptomatic stage, people can make the following lifestyle changes: Of people who develop cirrhosis, 2060% also develop malnutrition, additional complications, longer hospital stays, and a reduced life expectancy. If you don't receive our email within 5 minutes, check your SPAM folder, then contact us at newsletters@mayoclinic.com. If you have cirrhosis and experience the following, call 911: Depending on the stage of your cirrhosis, different healthcare providers may be involved in your care. Irregular bumps (nodules) replace the smooth liver tissue and the liver becomes harder. Hemorrhages: When the production of proteins necessary for blood coagulation by the liver stops or slows down, the person suffers haemorrhages easily. In the process, scar tissue forms. MORE: Cirrhosis can damage your liver so badly that it would no longer function properly and can no longer keep you living. When symptoms do occur, they may first include fatigue; weakness and weight loss; nausea; bruising or bleeding easily; swelling in your legs, feet or ankles; itchy skin; redness on the palms of your hands; and spider-like blood vessels on your skin. But if liver cirrhosis is diagnosed early and the underlying cause is treated, further damage can be limited. The liver is your largest internal organ. Portal hypertension is an increase in the pressure in your portal vein (the large blood vessel that carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver). Fiel MI. The scoring system provides a score on the presence of five clinical measures (the lab values of bilirubin, serum albumin and prothrombin time; presence of ascites and hepatic encephalopathy) and the degree of severity of each of these measures. "And cirrhosis is not a death sentence." Dr. Sanjeev Sharma, a physician affiliated with Tri-City Medical Center, said cirrhosis is a result of repeated liver damage. For people with cirrhosis, there is a close link between life expectancy and the number of symptoms and complications they experience. You and your doctors will discuss if this is an option for you. Our articles are resourced from reputable online pages. The increase made liver cancer the sixth-leading cause of cancer death in 2016, up from the ninth-leading cause in 2000. Goldman L, et al., eds. Everything you need to know about cirrhosis, What to know about liver failure and liver disease stages, Diet for jaundice: What to eat for a healthy liver. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could Key points Alcoholic liver disease is a common, but preventable, disease. There is a problem with This is the earliest stage of liver disease, regardless of the cause. The Pediatric End-stage Liver Disease (PELD) score is similar to MELD but is a scoring system for children under the age of 12. Cirrhosis of the liver is one of the final stages of liver disease. There may also be a backing up of water in your belly and/or legs. Evaluation and prognosis of patients with cirrhosis. However, those who drink too much alcohol, those who are overweight and those with viral hepatitis are at a greater risk. The National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases state at least 1 in 400 adults in the U.S. has cirrhosis. The main causes of 436 deaths among 532 patients with cirrhosis followed up for up to 16 years constituted liver failure (24%), liver failure with gastrointestinal bleeding (13%), gastrointestinal bleeding (14%), primary liver cell carcinoma (4%), other liver-related causes (2%), infections (7%), cardiovascular diseases (22%), extrahepatic SO if there is acute trauma to your liver, you are not at risk. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. But they all have a similar progression regardless of the specific type of liver damage. Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a sudden deterioration of the liver function in a patient with liver cirrhosis accompanied by failure of one or more organ systems. These are more likely to happen when cirrhosis reaches its end-stage. You and your medical team will need to assess if you are an appropriate candidate through a transplant evaluation. Liver cirrhosis can cause reduced platelet counts making is more difficult for blood to clot then add to that enlarged blood vessels in the esophagus which can rupture. Cirrhosis is classified into four stages that include:. Eat a healthy, well-balanced, low-fat diet, such as the Mediterranean diet. This is the process we call fibrosis. Find the latest information from the globally recognized leader in digestive diagnosis, treatments and surgical innovations. Get your annual flu shot and ask if a pneumonia vaccine makes sense for you (people with cirrhosis are more likely to get infections). Acute on chronic liver failure in cirrhosis. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, https://www.hepatitis.va.gov/cirrhosis/index.asp, https://www.liver.ca/patients-caregivers/liver-diseases/cirrhosis/, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/cirrhosis/definition-facts, https://www.hepatitis.va.gov/cirrhosis/patient/faqs/index.asp, https://www.hepatitis.va.gov/hcv/patient/diagnosis/labtests-INR.asp, https://www.hepatitis.va.gov/cirrhosis/nutrition.asp, https://liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/the-progression-of-liver-disease/#1507303172079-17f30c0c-4fe2, https://www.hepatitisc.uw.edu/go/evaluation-staging-monitoring/evaluation-prognosis-cirrhosis/core-concept/all, Cardiovascular health: Insomnia linked to greater risk of heart attack. Options include surgery to remove part of your liver or your whole liver (to be replaced with a new liver as part of a liver transplantation) and nonsurgical tumor-destroying methods including ablation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy (drugs zero in on cancer genes or tissue), immunotherapy and radiation bead therapy (inject bead that give off radiation into the blood vessels that feed the tumor). About 1 in 4 . Learn about the causes of cirrhosis, diagnosis, prevention, and how to, Liver fibrosis occurs when chronic injury or inflammation causes a buildup of scar tissue. Cirrhosis of the liver is one of the final stages of liver disease. Liver failure: Many diseases and conditions cause liver failure including cirrhosis of the liver. Lower levels of sodium (is an indicator of cirrhosis). About 10% of heavy drinkers develop cirrhosis, which is the third stage of alcohol-related . high blood pressure in the liver, or portal hypertension, which can then lead to enlarged veins and internal bleeding, fluid build-up in the abdomen, swelling in the lower extremities, and difficulty thinking, an abnormal build-up of fluid in the abdomen, and how it responds to treatment, normal levels of albumin, a protein made by the liver, high levels of bilirubin, which could mean the liver is not working properly, normal blood clotting time, or international normalized ratio (INR), creatinine, which can indicate kidney damage, laxatives to help rid the system of toxins, beta-blockers, to reduce portal hypertension, getting treatment for conditions that might have caused cirrhosis, such as hepatitis C or B, getting regular check-ups and prompt treatment for complications, avoiding taking vitamin C, if iron levels are high. Patients with irreversible, advanced liver disease and their families live with a complex and challenging condition that follows a highly unpredictable illness trajectory. He or she may refer to you having either compensated cirrhosis or decompensated cirrhosis. Members of a liver transplant team include: hepatologist, transplant surgeon, anesthesiologist, infectious disease specialist, nephrologist, dietitian, transplant pharmacist, physical and occupational therapist, case manager/social worker and nurses. Jameson J, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Longo DL, Loscalzo J, (Eds). We didn't think much of it because she was in her 70s. You may wonder what we mean by decompensation. A biopsy may also be required to identify the severity, extent and cause of liver damage. These conditions are very serious and they are life-threatening. Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue and the liver is permanently damaged. Your liver may keep working even when you have cirrhosis. A Mayo Clinic expert explains, Study finds that patients with alcohol-associated cirrhosis have worse outcomes in recovering from critical illness, compared with other cirrhosis patients. The assessment and management of pain in cirrhosis. When you have cirrhosis, you may bruise or bleed easily. Ami TR. Eventually, your failing liver may become a life-threatening condition. -Low platelet count will be witnessed amongst the patients. Nov. 23, 2022. Heart failure: Could a low sodium diet sometimes do more harm than good? Cirrhosis and Fibrosis VIDEO Various disorders, drugs, or toxins can repeatedly or continuously damage the liver. Many types of liver diseases and conditions injure healthy liver cells, causing cell death and inflammation. Wilson's disease, a condition in which copper accumulates in the liver. You may not feel it when inflammation affects only a little portion of your liver. As the pressure in these veins builds, the veins can bleed or even burst, causing severe internal bleeding. Medications and procedures to treat cirrhosis symptoms include: According to the VA, although cirrhosis is progressive, some people with the condition can move from decompensated, or symptomatic, back to the asymptomatic stage. In cirrhosis (right), scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue. There are some additions - Confusion Extreme sleepiness Hand tremors Personality changes Kidney failure leading to reduced urination High fever Infection in the abdominal cavity. In 2017, 998 men and women aged between 35 and 49 died from liver disease, which represented 10% of all deaths in this age group; greater than deaths from . You are confused, irritable, disoriented, sleepy, forgetful or foggy.. If alcoholic hepatitis deteriorates into its most extreme form (liver failure) it can lead to death. "And cirrhosis is not a death sentence." Dr. Sanjeev Sharma, a physician affiliated with Tri-City Medical Center, said cirrhosis is a result of repeated liver damage. Late-stage cirrhosis is life-threatening. Died from end stage liver disease. We wish you well. The symptoms of cirrhosis depend on the stage of your disease. Wilson R, et al. Clinical and Molecular Hepatology. This article does not provide medical advice. Cirrhosis is sometimes called end-stage liver disease because it happens after other stages of damage from conditions that affect the liver, such as hepatitis. Is exercise more effective than medication for depression and anxiety? If you drink more than two drinks a day if you are a man or more than one if you are a woman, you are increasing your risk. If you have liver disease, you shouldn't drink alcohol at all. When symptoms do occur, they may include: Make an appointment with your health care provider if you have any of the symptoms listed above. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Liver cancer: Most people who develop liver cancer have cirrhosis of the liver. Facts about . Treatments of portal hypertension include: Bacterial peritonitis: Antibiotics and infusion of a protein (albumin) will be prescribed. You can easily reverse inflammation. Liver cancer: Treatment depends on the stage of your cancer and other factors. 11 William Ho Author has 268 answers and 766.8K answer views Updated Thu Related What is the life expectancy of an active alcoholic with end-stage/stage four liver cirrhosis? Cirrhosis of the liver is a disorder in which healthy liver cells are gradually replaced by scar tissue. The more cirrhosis worsens, the more dysfunctional your liver will become. Ghany MG, Hoofnagle JH. This number could be even higher, as many people do not receive a diagnosis until they develop advanced symptoms. Medical Clinics of North America. The body's mechanism to repair the damage leads to fibrosis and nodules, or scarring, which results in improper function of the liver. Portal Hypertension. Cirrhosis is a common cause of death worldwide. Make a donation. Approach to the patient with liver disease. When blood flow through veins is partially blocked, veins in your esophagus, stomach or intestines can become enlarged (a condition called varices). Liver transplants can come from a living or deceased donor. Obesity is another common cause that is on the uprise. General abdominal pain and discomfort can also be related to swelling from fluid retention and enlargement of your spleen and liver caused by cirrhosis. These drugs can cause or worsen liver function. (2018). In the United States, about 35,000 people die of complications of cirrhosis each year. Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue and the liver is permanently damaged. 11th ed. If a long-term injury to your liver occurs as a result of chemicals, it will eventually cause cirrhosis too. However, most people who have liver cancer have cirrhosis. Blocked bile duct (can cause infections, backup of products in the liver). Cirrhosis puts people at greater risk for: There are two stages in cirrhosis: compensated and decompensated. Pale fingernails, especially the thumb and index finger. Is cirrhosis a death sentence? Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. You will receive the first liver transplant and decompensated cirrhosis email in your inbox shortly. What Happens To The Body During A Liver Failure? information submitted for this request. In: Saxena R. (Ed). If you'd like to learn even more about cirrhosis, watch our other related videos or visit mayoclinic.org. Your healthcare provider will first ask about your medical history and over-the-counter and prescription drug use. Early symptoms of cirrhosis may include feeling tired or weak poor appetite losing weight without trying nausea and vomiting mild pain or discomfort in the upper right side of your abdomen As liver function gets worse, you may have other symptoms, including bruising and bleeding easily Accessed 10/11/2020. Hepatic fibrosis 2022: Unmet needs and a blueprint for the future. Feldman M, et al., eds. (https://www-wjgnet-com.ccmain.ohionet.org/1007-9327/full/v20/i18/5442.htm), (https://www.hepatitis.va.gov/cirrhosis/background/stages.asp), (https://www.statpearls.com/articlelibrary/viewarticle/19569/), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, Yellow tint to your skin or the whites of your eyes (. One or more treatments may be tried. As cirrhosis gets worse, your liver begins to fail. Higher level of iron (may indicate hemochromatosis). Craig Harvey . Learn about metabolism and what to eat for a healthy liver. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event, (https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/liver-disease/cirrhosis), (https://liverfoundation.org/for-patients/about-the-liver/diseases-of-the-liver/cirrhosis), (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/liver-and-gallbladder-disorders/drugs-and-the-liver/liver-injury-caused-by-drugs). Sadly, some people will never realize they have the liver disease until it reaches the stage of cirrhosis. (2018) Clinical Features of Liver Disease. Hemochromatosis, a condition that causes iron buildup in the body. Swelling in the legs, feet or ankles, called edema. Accessed Jan. 6, 2023. 0:57. Get vaccinated against hepatitis B. This increase in pressure is caused by a blockage of blood flow through your liver as a result of cirrhosis. Medical Videos Privacy Policy, Images and Text Policy Editorial Policy, Information Policy Advertising Policy, Financial Disclosure Policy Cookie Policy, About Us Contact Us. When the enire liver is scarred, it shrinks and gets hard. Loss of appetite. But if you dont, it will progress to become cirrhosis. Infections: Cirrhosis increases your risk of getting and fighting serious infections, such as bacterial peritonitis (infection of the tissue that lines the inner wall of your abdomen). Yet theres still hope. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD), also called alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD), is a term that encompasses the liver manifestations of alcohol overconsumption, including fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and chronic hepatitis with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis.. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Damage already done to your liver is permanent. The cause of death was concluded as hemoperitoneum, due to rupture of mesenteric varices, cirrhosis, due to chronic alcoholism. Who gets it? Typically patients are admitted to the hospital for treatment and monitoring. Cirrhosis damage is. Other complications of cirrhosis of the liver that may lead to death are: Edema and Ascites: When the hepatic damage is in an advanced stage, liquid is accumulated in the legs (edema) and in the abdomen (ascites). These include liver cancer and liver failure. Alagille syndrome, a genetic digestive disorder. The pancreas tries to satisfy the demand for insulin by producing more, but excess glucose accumulates in the bloodstream and causes type 2 diabetes. Your poop (stools) are black and tarry or contain blood (may be maroon or bright red in color). Often the course of liver disease is associated with an exacerbation of the underlying disease (Crohn's Disease/Ulcerative Colitis). The cause of liver cirrhosis is usually chronic or long-term damage. Cirrhosis is a late-stage result of liver disease and its complications. Your liver plays a vital role in many of the processes and functions that keep you alive. Any illness or condition that affects your liver in the long-term can cause fibrosis. Bruising and Bleeding. That is the next stage in the timeline. Alcoholic liver disease or alcoholic hepatitis (hepar=liver +itis=inflammation), viral hepatitis (B or C), and fatty liver . Studies investigating new treatments that can slow and even reverse the scarring that leads to cirrhosis are currently underway. There may also be a correlation between alcohol and breast cancer. Autoimmune hepatitis, which is a liver disease caused by the body's immune system. Mayo Clinic. Accessed Jan. 6, 2023. If you have cirrhosis, you have an increased risk of liver cancer. Cirrhosis death timeline is something that is a cause for concern. Cirrhosis causes the liver to slow or stop production of proteins needed for blood clotting. In the U.S, however, heavy drinking is the leading cause of cirrhosis. Often, cirrhosis shows no signs or symptoms until liver damage is extensive. But when it spreads to cover most parts, you would feel it. Together, the scarring and the nodules are called cirrhosis. A viral infection or excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to. But then, liver inflammation may not cause any discomfort. Although there is no cure for cirrhosis, treatments can delay or stop its progress and reduce complications. Life expectancy depends on several factors including the cause and severity of your cirrhosis, your response to treatments, the presence of cirrhosis complications, your age and any other existing general health problems. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Second Edition 2, 33-42. The healthy portions that remain in your liver would try to make up for the dysfunctional scarred portions. If you drink alcohol, stop. Multiple types and stages of liver disease can lead to liver failure. If you have non-alcohol related fatty liver disease, lose weight and manage your metabolic risk factors. Scar tissue keeps your liver from working properly. Nausea. Chronic Viral Hepatitis B, C, or D Chronic hepatitis C is the leading cause of cirrhosis in the United States. It was very suttle. The danger remains the same it will eventually cause cirrhosis. This can be a life threatening condition. Chronic liver failure is a slow decline in liver function that occurs alongside cirrhosis, or severe scarring of the liver. This can make your abdomen enlarge like a balloon filled with water. Top Home Remedies for Liver Cirrhosis 1. Based on these scores, the system assigns people into different classes: Healthcare professionals will project the life expectancy of people with cirrhosis using CTP scores in the following chart: Physicians use the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) to estimate the life expectancy for people with cirrhosis, setting priorities for liver transplants. Itchy skin. Any time an organ is injured, it tries to repair itself. More so, there are but limited options for cirrhosis, talk less of when its in the end-stage. Life expectancy depends on the stage and type. -Portal hypertension is another potential symptom associated with this condition. Cirrhosis. What to know about alcoholic liver disease? But then, something interesting happens at this point. Alcoholic liver disease occurs as a result of chronic excessive consumption of alcohol. Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Gallstones: If cirrhosis does not allow the free flow of bile to and from the gallbladder, bile hardens and gallstones form. Causes of ascites due to liver problems include: Cirrhosis describes a form of liver disease in which liver tissue that is damaged is replaced by scar tissue. Gastroenterologist (doctor who specializes in conditions of your digestive tract). A drink is a glass of wine or a 12-ounce can of beer or a 1.5 ounce serving of hard liquor. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 2021; doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01374-X. Hepatitis is liver inflammation that is usually caused by a virus but can be caused by an autoimmune disorder or use of certain drugs. Many of the causes and complications that lead to cirrhosis are treatable or manageable. That is when there is no more healthy tissue (or not enough) to compensate for the damaged portion of your liver. Malnutrition: Your liver processes nutrients. There is no cure for cirrhosis. The damage done by cirrhosis typically cannot be undone. Formation and dilation (expansion) of blood vessels in the lungs (, Failure of kidney function as a result of having portal hypertension as a complication of cirrhosis (, Confusion, difficulty thinking, changes in your behavior, even coma. The study, based on a retrospective review of the records of 456 patients, found nine patients to have liver . Since you may not have any symptoms in the early stages of the disease, cirrhosis is often detected through routine blood tests or checkups. Their life expectancy is greatly reduced than those with compensated cirrhosis, while experts recommend referral for a possible liver transplant in these cases. However, as cirrhosis continues, more scarring occurs and liver function continues to decline. Fluid accumulation in the abdomen, called ascites (uh-SAHY-teez). Cirrhosis is severe scarring of the liver. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis encompasses a wide spectrum of liver damage. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Sudden or progressive loss of functional independence Weight loss or reduced appetite Inability to work Patient spends the majority of time sitting or lying in bed Confusion, cognitive impairment Abdominal distention Malaise Bowel dysfunction Breathing difficulties Itchy skin Restlessness Altered mood and behavior In fact, cirrhosis is one of the most common reasons for a liver transplant. A typical liver (left) shows no signs of scarring. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Only 43 percent of patients survive the one-year mark . 2022; doi:10.3350/cmh.2022.0036. For these reasons, perhaps its easier to talk about cirrhosis according to a classification system you are more likely to hear from your healthcare provider. Cirrhosis is scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by long-term liver damage. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Liver transplantation may be an option if your liver is failing. Acute liver failure together with bleeding varices (13%). Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease. A wide range of diseases and conditions can damage the liver and lead to cirrhosis. Hepatology. ), (https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hepatic-and-biliary-disorders/fibrosis-and-cirrhosis/cirrhosis), (https://gastro.org/practice-guidance/gi-patient-center/topic/cirrhosis/). Unexplained weight loss. Cirrhosis. Liver Cancer: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a type of liver cancer that can occur in people with cirrhosis. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Clubbing of the fingers, in which the fingertips spread out and become rounder than usual. As liver tissue is lost, progressive liver failure occurs. Your provider may suspect you have cirrhosis if you have a long history of alcohol use, injectable drug use or have had hepatitis B or C and have the symptoms listed in this article. Cirrhosis can eventually cause liver failure.