23/12/2025
Merry Christmas 🎉 Ladies and Gentlemen, 💝
Liver cirrhosis is a chronic, progressive disease.
It does not occur suddenly, but results from prolonged injury to the liver, during which healthy liver tissue is gradually replaced by fibrotic tissue, permanently impairing its function.
🔄 Progression: how does liver cirrhosis end?
As the disease progresses, several possible complications may occur, many of which are serious:
👉 Ascites is the most common complication. It may develop rapidly or gradually. It is a buildup of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, which, when significant, leads to dull abdominal distension. The fluid is clear and pale yellow in color.
Ascites is often associated with reduced urine output and swelling (edema) of the lower limbs.
👉 Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes) is also a frequent complication. It results from an increase in both unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin in the blood, producing a mixed type of jaundice.
Infections are very common and are explained by a reduction in the body’s antibacterial defense mechanisms.
A moderate fever is often present in cirrhosis, the cause of which is not always clearly identified.
👉 Gastrointestinal bleeding (hematemesis, melena) is a frequent and severe complication. It mainly results from three causes: rupture of esophageal varices, gastroduodenal ulcers, and hemorrhagic gastritis. Coagulation disorders further increase the risk of bleeding.
👉 Primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) is a serious complication of cirrhosis. Several symptoms may raise suspicion of cancer development, including: fever, pain in the right upper abdomen (right hypochondrium or flank), very dark jaundice, gastrointestinal bleeding, elevated alkaline phosphatase levels, and increased alpha-2 globulins and alpha-fetoprotein.
Neurological disorders such as hepatic encephalopathy may occur spontaneously or be triggered by specific factors (infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, sedatives, diuretics, etc.). The severity and course of encephalopathy can vary widely.
Cirrhosis is not inevitable if it is diagnosed early.
Prevention, early detection, treatment of the underlying cause, and rigorous follow-up can prolong life, improve quality of life, and prevent a dramatic outcome.
Understanding the progression of cirrhosis means acting earlier to protect the liver… and life.
Thank you for your attention. ✍️