Cirrhosis in itself is already a late stage of liver damage. In the early stages of liver disease, there will be inflammation of the liver. If this inflammation is not treated it can lead to scarring (fibrosis). At this stage, it is still possible for the liver to heal with treatment.
If fibrosis of the liver is not treated, it can result in cirrhosis. At this stage, the scar tissue cannot heal, but the progression of the scarring may be prevented or slowed. People with cirrhosis who have signs of complications may develop the end-stage liver disease (ESLD) and the only treatment at this stage is liver transplantation.
Stage 1 cirrhosis involves some scarring of the liver, but few symptoms. This stage is considered compensated cirrhosis, where there are no complications.
Stage 2 cirrhosis includes worsening portal hypertension and the development of varices.
Stage 3 cirrhosis involves the development of swelling in the abdomen and advanced liver scarring. This stage marks decompensated cirrhosis, with serious complications and possible liver failure.
Stage 4 cirrhosis can be life-threatening and people have developed the end-stage liver disease (ESLD), which is fatal without a transplant.
联系客服
