Will the platelet count be low in the early stages of cirrhosis?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on January 08, 2025
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The early stage of cirrhosis does not cause a decrease in platelets. Patients in the early stages of cirrhosis often have no obvious symptoms and may only exhibit fatigue, weight loss, jaundice, etc. However, once a patient with cirrhosis develops splenic hyperfunction, it can easily lead to a decrease in platelets, where the platelet count may drop to 100,000 per microliter. In such cases, it might be necessary to perform procedures like splenic embolization or splenectomy for antimicrobial treatment, and it is also important to prevent other complications of cirrhosis, such as esophageal and gastric varices, etc.

Other Voices

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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In the early stages of cirrhosis, is there abdominal bloating and stomach pain?

Early-stage cirrhosis generally does not result in abdominal distension or stomach pain, and individuals in the early stages of liver cirrhosis might not exhibit any discomfort symptoms. However, if liver function reaches an advanced stage, complications like ascites associated with cirrhosis might occur, leading to abdominal distension. There might also be the occurrence of conditions like portal vein thrombosis, which can cause stomach pain, and possibly primary peritonitis, which can induce abdominal pain in patients. It is necessary to promptly identify the cause and adopt appropriate treatment measures. For example, if the stomach pain is caused by primary peritonitis, active anti-infection treatments should be applied.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
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Can alcoholic cirrhosis be contagious?

Cirrhosis caused by hepatitis formed by alcohol is not contagious in clinical settings. Contagious cirrhosis generally refers to viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis A, B, C, and E, which are infectious. Alcoholic cirrhosis, primarily caused by drinking, is not caused by viruses; hence, alcohol does not facilitate transmission between people. The common transmission modes involve fecal-oral routes, for instance, through blood and bodily fluids in hepatitis A and B. In contrast, alcoholic liver disease is relatively safe, so there is no need to worry about it being contagious.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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How long can one live with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis?

We cannot give a definite answer on how long a patient with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis can live, as the life expectancy in late-stage cirrhosis is influenced by many factors including treatment measures, lifestyle adjustments, daily healthcare, and physical condition. Patients in the compensated stage of cirrhosis, if treated and the progression of cirrhosis is halted, with normal liver function and negative hepatitis B virus replication indicators, can work normally. In this state, the quality of life is good, and they can live to 70 to 80 years old. For patients in the decompensated stage of cirrhosis, if untreated and the cirrhosis is allowed to progress, about 70 to 80% may die within 5 years; however, aggressive treatment, including traditional Chinese medicine for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, combined with antiviral treatment, bleeding prevention, liver protection, and liver transplantation, can significantly increase the survival time of patients.

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Written by Zhang Jian Kang
Infectious Disease
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Is hepatitis B cirrhosis serious?

After infection with the hepatitis B virus, it may cause repeated inflammatory damage to the liver. If hepatitis B is not well-controlled, it can lead to the development of liver cirrhosis. The symptoms of liver cirrhosis mainly manifest as repeated fatigue, poor appetite, yellowing of the eyes, yellow urine, and discomfort in the upper abdomen after eating, etc. If the cirrhosis due to hepatitis B is in a compensated stage, such as liver cirrhosis suggested by ultrasonography and mild abnormalities in liver function, and the symptoms are not very severe, this type of compensatory cirrhosis, relatively speaking, has a decent prognosis. With standard antiviral treatment, many patients can maintain a state of liver cirrhosis. However, if treatment is not further pursued and damage progresses, leading to decompensated liver cirrhosis, or if ascites has already developed, or even gastrointestinal bleeding occurs, then its prognosis is relatively poor, and this situation is very serious.

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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.