Thomas D. Boyer Liver Institute

12/19/2025

Happy Holidays from the Thomas D. Boyer Liver Institute!
We wish you all a healthy and happy holiday season, and we look forward to seeing you in the new year. ☃️

12/17/2025

What is Primary biliary cholangitis?

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease in which the bile ducts are inflamed and slowly destroyed and was previously called primary biliary cirrhosis. More than half of people with primary biliary cholangitis do not have any noticeable symptoms when diagnosed, and symptoms may develop over the next 5 to 20 years. Read here for more information:

Primary biliary cholangitis is a type of liver disease that damages the bile ducts. Early recognition and treatment may help prevent complications.

12/12/2025

there are several risk factors that can increase a person's chance of getting liver cancer such as having a long-term viral hepatitis infection, heavy alcohol use, and more. Some risk factors can be changed through lifestyle choices while others, like age or family history, cannot. Read about the various risk factors here:

There are several factors that can increase your chance of getting liver cancer. This guide will help you learn more about the most common factors.

12/10/2025

What is MASH?
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) happens because you have excess fat cells in your liver and was called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NASH). This is often linked to problems with how your body processes sugar and fat. Read signs and symptoms and common causes and risk factors here:

It’s a serious liver disease that happens when fat in your liver causes inflammation.

12/05/2025

Yesterday, the Hepatitis C team gave Hepatitis C screenings and tests at the Consulado de México en Tucson. Come and see us again on January 8th if you think you may be at risk of getting Hepatitis C.
Ayer, el equipo de Hepatitis C ofreció exámenes y pruebas de Hepatitis C en el Consulado de México en Tucson. Vengan a vernos de nuevo el 8 de enero si creen que podrían estar en riesgo de contraer Hepatitis C.

12/02/2025

Happy December! Make sure to check out our monthly newsletter for updates.

December Newsletter -

The Boyer Liver Institute, launched in 2000, is dedicated to research, education, diagnosis and treatment of all forms of liver disease.  Stay updated with us to know about current studies, free Hep-C testing, and more! Care for patients suffering from liver disorders such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis...

11/28/2025

What is Hepatitis E?

Hepatitis E is a liver infection caused by HEV. Most people with hepatitis E fully recover and have no long-term liver problems from their infection. Hepatitis E is common in travelers who go to areas of the world with poor sanitation. Read more about Hepatitis E here:

Discover hepatitis E: a liver infection by HEV. Learn stats, spread, symptoms, and treatment.

11/26/2025

Long-term heavy alcohol use is the most prevalent single cause of illness and death from liver disease in the US. The liver is one of the largest organs in the body; it has not only considerable reserves but also the ability to regenerate itself. However, heavy long-term alcohol consumption can hinder this ability and progress to liver disease and cirrhosis. Read more:

A large proportion of heavy drinkers develop serious alcoholic liver disease. Susceptibility to alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis appears to be influenced by heredity, gender, diet, and co-occurring liver illness. Most alcoholic liver damage is ...

11/21/2025

It's World Hepatitis Testing Week!

2.4 million people are estimated to be living with hepatitis C and 850,000 people in the U.S. are estimated to be living with hepatitis B. Hepatitis B and C can lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related deaths. They are among the main infectious disease killers, causing an estimated 1.3 million deaths per year worldwide. Make sure to get tested for hepatitis B and C with a physician or get tested with our team.

11/19/2025

What is histotripsy?

Histotripsy is an FDA-approved procedure that uses ultrasound to treat liver cancer. During histotripsy, a machine directs high-intensity sound pulses toward one or more tumors. While the main treatment for liver cancer is surgery, histotripsy may be an alternative if surgery isn’t an option. Read more about histotripsy here:

What if healthcare providers could harness the power of sound to fight cancer? That’s exactly what happens during histotripsy. Learn more.

11/14/2025

The liver is the second largest organ in the body that has various functions such as metabolizing food, regulating insulin and hormone levels, and removing toxins. Often times people do not think about their liver health until it malfunctions, so here are some things to do to protect your liver health:

1. Be careful about alcohol consumption
2. Wash produce and steer clear of toxins
3. Preventing Hepatitis A, B, and C through vaccination, harm reduction, and hand washing
4. Monitoring medications and herbs
5. Exercise and eating healthy, balanced meals

Source:

Your liver is often an unsung hero, fulfilling over 500 jobs without complaint -- follow these five tips to avoid liver disease and keep yours running at maximum efficiency.

11/12/2025

Hepatitis C and Cardiovascular Risk:

Hepatitis C progresses where it affects the liver causing hepatic alterations from hepatic steatosis and fibrosis to cirrhosis and the risk of liver carcinoma. In addition, recent studies are finding an association to cardiovascular risk, such as an increased risk of atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathies, peripheral artery disease, and stroke, for people who are infected with Hepatitis C. If you present any cardiovascular risks or other metabolic risk, ask your doctor if you think you are at risk of contracting Hepatitis C.

Article:

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents a systemic disease, with a natural progression to hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and finally, cirrhosis, with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Besides the hepatic alterations, the ...