Do you need a liver transplant in the early stages of cirrhosis?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on December 19, 2024
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In the early stages of cirrhosis, liver transplant is not necessary. Early-stage cirrhosis requires timely and comprehensive auxiliary examinations to determine the cause of the cirrhosis. This includes determining whether it is due to viral hepatitis, cholestatic hepatitis, or drug-induced hepatitis, among others. Once a patient exhibits early signs of cirrhosis, it is crucial to treat the specific cause and symptoms actively, and undertake proactive liver protection treatments. It is also essential to prevent complications associated with cirrhosis, such as esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding, primary liver cancer, hepatorenal syndrome, liver disease, and ascites.

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Written by Shen Jiang Chao
Radiology
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Can liver cirrhosis be detected by an ultrasound B-scan?

Liver cirrhosis can be diagnosed with an ultrasound. In the early stages of cirrhosis, there are no specific changes in the sonographic pattern visible on ultrasound. Typically, cirrhosis manifests as a decrease in liver volume, with imbalanced proportions of the liver lobes; both the left and right lobes may shrink, with compensatory hypertrophy observed in some cases in the left lobe. The liver capsule appears serrated, and the echoes from the liver area are coarser and stronger, with uneven distribution. It's possible to observe nodules with low or high echoes. The liver vessels vary in thickness, the hepatic veins may narrow, and the portal vein can widen. An enlarged portal vein can lead to symptoms like splenomegaly and ascites.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Is the surface of the liver smooth in the early stages of cirrhosis?

In the early stages of cirrhosis, it is not necessarily the case that the liver surface is very smooth; in patients with early cirrhosis, the liver surface can be uneven. Patients in the early stages of cirrhosis also need serious attention. They should undergo regular follow-up examinations, and it is important to identify the cause of the early cirrhosis. Based on different causes, appropriate treatment measures should be taken. For example, if the early cirrhosis is caused by chronic hepatitis B virus, antiviral treatment should be initiated as soon as possible. If it is due to alcohol, leading to early alcoholic cirrhosis, then it is crucial to quit drinking actively, and liver-protective treatments are also needed.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Can early-stage cirrhosis cancer be cured?

Whether early-stage liver cirrhosis cancer can be cured depends on a detailed analysis of the specific situation. Firstly, if a patient with early-stage liver cirrhosis develops cancer, it is crucial to promptly combine the patient’s physical condition with aggressive surgical treatment. The specific surgical approach and procedure are determined by clinical doctors. Moreover, for patients with early-stage cancer, targeted etiological treatment should be administered. For instance, if the early-stage liver cancer is caused by alcoholic liver cirrhosis, active intervention is necessary. If it is due to viral hepatitis, such as chronic hepatitis B leading to liver cirrhosis and progressing to early-stage cancer, active antiviral treatment is required.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Is the pain obvious in the early stages of cirrhosis?

In the early stages of cirrhosis, the pain is not very obvious. Patients in the early stages of cirrhosis may experience vague discomfort in the upper right abdomen, while others may never experience pain at all. Those in the early stages may also have symptoms such as belching, fatigue, acid reflux, jaundice, and dark urine. Further comprehensive auxiliary examinations are needed, such as liver function tests and abdominal imaging studies. At the same time, it is important to identify the cause of early-stage cirrhosis in patients as soon as possible and adopt appropriate treatment measures based on different causes. For instance, if it is caused by alcohol, then treatment should involve abstaining from alcohol.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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Can cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B virus be cured?

Hepatitis B virus-induced cirrhosis was previously considered incurable, though its progression could be slowed. However, recent observations and studies have shown that a small fraction of patients with early-stage hepatitis B virus-induced cirrhosis can be cured. However, the proportion of these patients is extremely low. To draw an analogy, cirrhosis is like our houses. If the cement, steel bars, and brick structure are damaged, then the house is difficult to repair. Cirrhosis is akin to the structural damage of the house, making it hard to recover.