Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver disease in which there is significant scarring (fibrosis) of the liver. It can bring with it a range of complications, from easy bruising or bleeding to a buildup of toxins in the brain, to potentially fatal conditions such as kidney failure and liver cancer.

In fact, more than a million people throughout the world die from complications of cirrhosis each year. Forty thousand of those fatalities occur in the United States, making cirrhosis the 11th leading cause of death in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The signs of liver disease aren’t always obvious, though. The early stages can last for years or even decades. During this time, the spread of fibrosis might not bring on any noticeable symptoms. By the time symptoms and/or complications are recognized, liver damage has most likely already progressed to cirrhosis.

How Cirrhosis Develops

The scarring that eventually leads to cirrhosis and its complications is largely due to inflammation caused by persistent and ongoing damage to the liver. This damage can be the result of a number of health problems. The most common of these are:

  • Chronic heavy drinking of alcohol
  • Hepatitis (in particular types B and C)
  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Less common causes of cirrhosis include obstructed bile ducts of the liver and gallbladder, autoimmune hepatitis, and hereditary conditions such as Wilson’s disease (a buildup of copper in the liver) or hemochromatosis (a buildup of iron in the liver).​

Complications of Cirrhosis

Although a healthy liver is able to repair itself, the damage is often too extensive once it becomes cirrhotic. Widespread scarring inhibits blood flow to the liver, which in turn compromises its primary functions.

These normal functions include processing nutrients from food, making bile, building proteins, and removing toxins such as bilirubin (the reddish-brown compound that results from the breakdown of red blood cells) from the blood.

It’s easy to see how serious complications, including liver failure, can develop as a result of cirrhosis.

Summary

Cirrhosis of the liver causes extensive scarring and inflammation that can lead to moderate to very serious complications. When caught early and with effective treatment, the chances of slowing the progression of the disease are greater. This can help extend life-expectancy after diagnosis.

Regularly visiting with your medical team to review how your condition is progressing is important. This allows for adjustments to your treatment plan, as well as early identification, intervention and treatment of any complications that may arise.

A Word From Verywell

Cirrhosis and the accompanying fibrosis causes significant damage to the liver. Without proper treatment, the scarring and damage will worsen and can quickly lead to various complications, such as easy bruising and bleeding, gallstones, or liver cancer.

A diagnosis of cirrhosis doesn’t mean you have an immediate fatal condition. By following an effective treatment plan set out by your healthcare team, you can help slow the progression of cirrhosis and delay or prevent possible complications—especially if caught early.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the most common complication of cirrhosis?
  • Ascites (build up of fluid in the abdomen) is the most common complication of cirrhosis. It is often caused by elevated pressure in the blood vessels in and around the liver (portal hypertension) as well as decreased liver function. About 60% of people with cirrhosis will develop ascites requiring therapy during 10 years of observation.
  • Learn More:
  • How Cirrhosis From Chronic Hepatitis Can Cause Ascites
  • Why is gastrointestinal bleeding a complication of cirrhosis?
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding in people with cirrhosis is most commonly caused by elevated pressure in the blood vessels in and around the liver (portal hypertension).Specifically, lesions from gastroesophageal varices are formed. This happens due to decreased blood flow to the liver, causing the veins in the esophagus, stomach, and rectum to become enlarged. As the elevated pressure continues to expand the veins, the vein walls become stretched too thin and they can rupture, causing potentially life-threatening bleeding.
  • Learn More:
  • Bleeding From Esophageal Varices: Causes and More
  • Can cirrhosis progression be stopped?
  • Currently, there is no cure for cirrhosis. However, there are ways to manage the symptoms and any complications that may arise, ultimately slowing its progression. Successful treatment may be able to slowly heal some liver scarring (fibrosis).Doctors will look for and treat the underlying problem that led to cirrhosis to help prevent it from getting worse. Part of treatment to slow cirrhosis often includes avoiding things that could continue to damage the liver, such as certain medications, alcohol, and meals high in fat.
  • Learn More:
  • What to Eat When You Have Cirrhosis
  • Is cirrhosis of the liver hereditary?
  • Cirrhosis itself is not hereditary (passed from parent to child). However, there are some inherited diseases that can cause liver damage and lead to cirrhosis. These include hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, alpha 1-antiprotease (antitrypsin) deficiency, and cystic fibrosis.
  • Learn More:
  • Cirrhosis: Symptoms, Causes and More

Ascites (build up of fluid in the abdomen) is the most common complication of cirrhosis. It is often caused by elevated pressure in the blood vessels in and around the liver (portal hypertension) as well as decreased liver function. About 60% of people with cirrhosis will develop ascites requiring therapy during 10 years of observation.

Gastrointestinal bleeding in people with cirrhosis is most commonly caused by elevated pressure in the blood vessels in and around the liver (portal hypertension).

Currently, there is no cure for cirrhosis. However, there are ways to manage the symptoms and any complications that may arise, ultimately slowing its progression. Successful treatment may be able to slowly heal some liver scarring (fibrosis).

Cirrhosis itself is not hereditary (passed from parent to child). However, there are some inherited diseases that can cause liver damage and lead to cirrhosis. These include hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, alpha 1-antiprotease (antitrypsin) deficiency, and cystic fibrosis.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.
  • Nusrat S, Khan MS, Fazili J, Madhoun MF. Cirrhosis and its complications: evidence based treatment. World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(18):5442–5460. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i18.5442
  • American College of Gastroenterology. Ascites: a common problem in people with cirrhosis.
  • Cleveland Clinic. Cirrhotic ascites.
  • Cremers I, Ribeiro S. Management of variceal and nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2014;7(5):206-216. doi:10.1177/1756283X14538688
  • American Liver Foundation. The progression of liver disease.
  • Cleveland Clinic. Cirrhosis of the liver.
  • Zarrilli F, Elce A, Scorza M, Giordano S, Amato F, Castaldo G. An update on laboratory diagnosis of liver inherited diseases. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:697940. doi:10.1155/2013/697940

By Brittany Poulson, MDA, RDN, CD, CDCES

Brittany Poulson, MDA, RDN, CDCES, is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist.