What Is the Average Lifespan for Someone With Cirrhosis?

The life expectancy of patients suffering from cirrhosis of the liver is dependent upon the severity of their condition. A measure of the patient's condition is classified according to the Child-Pugh rating system.

Child-Pugh Score

• Child-Pugh classifications not only provide patients with an understanding of their condition relative to others with cirrhosis, but offer a well-defined window for life expectancy.

Child Class A

• A Child-Pugh score is the best way to measure the life expectancy for cirrhosis patients.

  The Child-Pugh ranking of Child Class A is perhaps the best-case scenario for cirrhosis patients. The individuals in this category are estimated to have a 15- to 20-year life expectancy.

Child Class B

• Transplantation is recommended when a patient is categorized as a Child Class B.

  As a patient's severity is downgraded to Child Class B, he or she will be referred by their physician to the nearest liver transplant center to receive a transplant evaluation.

Child Class C

• Child Class C is the most critical of all the Child-Pugh ratings. These cirrhosis patients are usually found at the tops of the nation's transplant lists and are usually only expected to survive between 1 and 3 years.

Considerations

• Infection can quickly deteriorate the Child Class A and B patient's condition.

  Because cirrhosis patients have a reduced immune system, they are vulnerable to infection and other all other bodily contaminants which threaten to dramatically impair their health. Under these circumstances, Child Class A and B patients could quickly fall to Class C status.