Definition of Liver Fibrosis

Fibrosis is the formation of fibrous tissue or fibroids. Usually, fibrosis references tissue growth at a wound site that forms a scar. Liver fibrosis specifically refers to scarring on or around the liver. Liver fibrosis is often confused with the more deadly cirrhosis. In truth, liver fibrosis actually leads to cirrhosis when not treated. Medical knowledge of the mechanisms of liver fibrosis has greatly advanced over the last few years. Recent evidence suggests that we may be able to reverse even advanced liver fibrosis.

Characterization

• Liver fibrosis specifically means a formation of fibrous tissue, nodules and scarring, that interfere with blood circulation and lead to a progressive loss of the liver's ability to function. Additionally, most chronic liver diseases cause an excessive buildup of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, that can severely damage liver function. The combination of ECM buildup and liver scarring and growth give fibrosis a variable time table for advanced symptoms.

Causes

• The main causes include chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and alcohol abuse. Autoimmune hepatitis, along with hepatitis strains B, C and D often lead to liver fibrosis. The accumulation of ECM proteins distorts the liver architecture by forming a scar. Subsequently, nodules and regenerating hepatocytes (liver cells) develop around the scar, defining full blown liver fibrosis.

Advanced Liver Fibrosis

• In advanced liver fibrosis, the damaged liver contains almost six times as much ECM as a healthy liver should. Advanced fibrosis causes liver failure and portal hypertension--abnormally high blood pressure in branches of the large portal vein that brings blood from the intestine to the liver--and usually leads to the need for a liver transplant. When the growths permanently change blood circulation, fibrosis leads to cirrhosis.

Fibrosis and Cirrhosis

• Often, patients miss the symptoms of liver fibrosis and do not catch the problem until it has progressed to cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis patients can live without symptoms for several years, but when they do appear, symptoms include renal (kidney) failure, hepatic encephalopathy (loss of brain function due to toxic buildup) and variceal (upper gastrointestinal) bleeding. According to the Journal of Clinical Investigation, "Cirrhosis is also a risk factor for developing hepatocellular carcinoma" (liver cancer). With certain kinds of cirrhosis, called decompensated cirrhosis, there is a short survival time, and your only option is a liver transplant.

Symptoms

• Liver fibrosis symptoms range from annoying to deadly. Patients often suffer from exhaustion and fatigue, itchy hands and feet, nausea and lack of appetite, weakness, weight loss and jaundice, or the yellowing of skin and eyes. Harsher symptoms include abdominal pain and accumulation of fluids, bleeding in the intestines, swelling of the legs and feet and dark, cola colored, urine.