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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration showing the liver, located above the stomach The liver
Illustrations of a normal liver and liver cirrhosis Normal liver vs. liver cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is caused by scar tissue that forms in your liver in response to damage occurring over many years. Each time your liver is injured, it tries to repair itself. In the process, scar tissue forms. As the scar tissue builds up, liver function worsens. In advanced cirrhosis, the liver no longer works very well.

It's important to determine the cause of cirrhosis because treating that underlying cause can help prevent further liver damage. A wide range of diseases and conditions can damage the liver and lead to cirrhosis, including:

  • Chronic alcohol abuse
  • Hepatitis C
  • Hepatitis B
  • Fat accumulating in the liver (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease)
  • Destruction of the bile ducts (primary biliary cirrhosis)
  • Hardening and scarring of the bile ducts (primary sclerosing cholangitis)
  • Iron buildup in the body (hemochromatosis)
  • Liver disease caused by your body's immune system (autoimmune hepatitis)
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Copper accumulated in the liver (Wilson's disease)
  • Infection by a parasite common in developing countries (schistosomiasis)
  • Poorly formed bile ducts (biliary atresia)
  • Inherited disorders of sugar metabolism (galactosemia, glycogen storage disease)

Some people may have more than one cause for cirrhosis, such as alcohol abuse and viral hepatitis. Up to 20 percent of people with cirrhosis don't have an identifiable cause for the condition (cryptogenic cirrhosis).

Complications Symptoms
References
  1. Sanchez W, et al. Liver cirrhosis. The American College of Gastroenterology. http://patients.gi.org/topics/liver-cirrhosis/. Accessed Dec. 3, 2012.
  2. 2. Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2013:5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-08373-7..00002-9&isbn=978-0-323-08373-7&about=true&uniqId=343863096-23.Accessed Nov. 27, 2012.
  3. Cirrhosis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.3.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cirrhosis/index.htm. Accessed Nov. 27, 2012.
  4. Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&about=true&uniqId=229935664-2192. Accessed Dec. 3, 2012.
  5. AskMayoExpert. What are the clinical manifestations of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  6. Starr PS, et al. Cirrhosis: Diagnosis, management and prevention. American Family Physician. 2011;84:1353.
  7. AskMayoExpert. What are the complications and comorbid conditions associated with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  8. Jafri SM, et al. Care of the cirrhotic patient. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America. 2012;26:979.
  9. AskMayoExpert. When should patients with cirrhosis be screened for esophageal varices? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2010.
  10. AskMayoExpert. What is the standard follow-up for patients receiving therapy for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  11. AskMayoExpert. What is the initial therapy recommended for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  12. AskMayoExpert. Will asymptomatic patients who receive a diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) have symptoms at a later time? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  13. AskMayoExpert. What is the expected prognosis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) following treatment? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012.
  14. Your liver. Your life. American Liver Foundation. http://www.yourliver.org/Liver-Wellness-Presentation.pdf. Accessed Dec. 3, 2012.
  15. Liver transplant. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/livertransplant. Accessed Dec. 28, 2012.
  16. Verma S et al. Complementary and alternative medicine in hepatology: review of the evidence of efficacy. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2007; 5: 408.
  17. Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-2/0/1494/0.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2013.
DS00373 Jan. 30, 2013

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

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