The liver is the largest gland in the human body. 'Cirrhosis' of liver is a condition wherein the normal liver tissues get damaged and replaced by scar tissue. Healthy liver cells get substituted with fibrotic scar tissue in a very slow and gradual process. Conditions leading to recurrent inflammation of the liver cells (hepatitis) heal with fibrosis and scar tissue formation.

Cirrhosis can disrupt many vital functions of the liver. Any condition that can damage the liver cells can cause cirrhosis. The liver gets its major supply of blood from the venous system of the intestines. The presence of scar tissues can reduce the effective circulation of blood within the liver. This slows down the transport and elimination of the various products of liver metabolism. The liver breaks down many substances including red blood cells and drugs and toxins. With chronic inflammation & scar tissue formation, the liver function becomes very sluggish leading to accumulation of various harmful substances.

Cirrhosis is an outcome of several conditions harmful to the liver. The most common causes of cirrhosis are: -

The diagnosis of cirrhosis may be missed in the initial stages of the condition. A history of medical conditions that can injure the liver is an indicator of possible cirrhosis in the future.

Though a 'liver biopsy' is often considered the gold standard of diagnosing cirrhosis, it need not be performed, if clinical examination, laboratory workup and radiological studies indicate it.

Treatment of liver cirrhosis depends upon the type and stage of cirrhosis. It mainly revolves around: