Quick Summary

Cirrhosis:

• Is permanent scarring of the liver caused by damage over a long time.
• Is a later stage in many types of liver disease.
• Is a serious condition, but many people don’t know they have it and feel well.
• Many people with cirrhosis will not die from it.
• Is usually diagnosed using blood tests and scans.
• There are different stages of cirrhosis.
• ‘Compensated’ or stable liver cirrhosis is when the liver has permanent scarring but is working OK. The body is able to cope with the damaged liver.
• People with compensated cirrhosis might not feel ill. You can live for years with compensated cirrhosis.
• ‘Decompensated’ liver cirrhosis means that the body is no longer coping with the scarring, and the liver is not able to function properly.
• Cirrhosis can go from compensated to decompensated in different ways. This can be hard to predict. It can be caused by triggers such as infections or alcohol intake.
• People with decompensated cirrhosis can be very unwell. They may have complications that affect other parts of their body. They often need urgent treatment.
• It is often possible to slow down compensated cirrhosis to stop it becoming decompensated. Usually by stopping or treating whatever is causing the damage.
• It is also possible to reverse decompensation. Usually by treating the cause of the liver damage or the trigger.
• The only cure for cirrhosis is a liver transplant. Not everyone will need or be able to have a transplant.
• Other treatment is focused on helping with symptoms and managing complications.

Find out more about cirrhosis using the links below.

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Useful words

Fibrosis – Scarring of the liver

Cirrhosis – Permanent serious liver damage

Compensated cirrhosis – A stage of cirrhosis where the liver is still able to keep going

Decompensated cirrhosis – A stage of cirrhosis where the liver cannot work properly causing serious complications

Recompensation – When decompensated cirrhosis goes back to being compensated cirrhosis