Cirrhosis of the Liver

Liver damage results in the build-up of scar tissue that makes the liver tissue hard and lumpy. This severe, end-stage liver disease is called cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis can result in two problems:

1. The scarred liver has fewer cells and works less efficiently. Its function declines.


2. Blood cannot flow freely through the liver because of blockages. As a result, pressure builds within the portal vein, resulting in portal hypertension.

In the United States certain hepatitis viruses (hepatitis B, C and D), alcohol and fatty liver disease are the most common causes of cirrhosis in adults. Other causes include medications, inherited diseases such as hemochromatosis (excess iron) or Wilson’s disease (excess copper), and autoimmune diseases such as primary biliary cirrhosis or autoimmune hepatitis.

Signs of cirrhosis and/or liver failure may include:

• Yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin (jaundice)


• Forgetfulness, confusion or unconsciousness (hepatic encephalopathy)


• Bleeding from enlarged veins in the esophagus, stomach or intestine (variceal hemorrhage)


• Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) and/or the ankles and legs (edema)


• Itching (pruritis)


• Muscle loss


• Easy bruising and bleeding due to less efficient blood clotting


• Rapid kidney failure

About California Pacific Medical Center

San Francisco Center for Liver Disease

California Pacific Medical Center, part of the Sutter Health NetworkOpens new window, offers kidney, pancreas, liver and heart transplantation as part of our Barry S. Levin, MD Department of Transplant.

San Francisco Center for Liver Disease
California Pacific Medical Center
2340 Clay Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
Tel. 415-600-1020