Cirrhosis is most often the end result of chronic liver damage caused by long-term (chronic) liver disease. Common causes of chronic liver disease in the United States are:
There may be no symptoms, or symptoms may come on slowly, depending on how well the liver is working. Often, it is discovered by chance when an abdominal ultrasound exam is done or blood is drawn for another reason.
Early symptoms include:
Fatigue and loss of energy
Poor appetite and weight loss
Nausea or belly pain
Small, red spider-like blood vessels on the skin
As liver function worsens, symptoms may include:
Fluid buildup in the legs (edema) and in the abdomen (ascites)
Yellow color in the skin, mucous membranes, or eyes (jaundice)
Redness on the palms of the hands
In men, impotence, shrinking of the testicles, and breast swelling
When cirrhosis progresses to end-stage liver disease, a liver transplant may be needed.
Support Groups
You can often ease the stress of illness by joining a liver disease support group whose members share common experiences and problems.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Cirrhosis is caused by scarring of the liver. In most cases, the liver cannot heal or return to normal function once the damage is severe. Cirrhosis can lead to serious complications.
Possible Complications
Complications may include:
Bleeding disorders
Buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) and infection of the fluid (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis)
Enlarged veins in the esophagus, stomach, or intestines that bleed easily (varices)
Increased pressure in the blood vessels of the liver (portal hypertension)
Garcia-Tsao G. Cirrhosis and its sequelae. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 139.
Kamath PS, Shah VH. Overview of cirrhosis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 74.
Review Date:
2/6/2022
Reviewed By:
Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Internal review and update on 02/10/2024 by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.