When a patient’s liver can no longer support life, this is called end stage liver disease. Chronic or continuing liver inflammation can cause scarring, which is known as cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is not reversible and leads to disease. In this article, we’ll examine a variety of diseases that can cause damage to the liver and how they are treated.

Alcoholism is a common cause of last stage liver disease. The symptoms of alcohol related liver disease are serious and include fluid in the abdomen, bleeding from veins in the esophagus, an enlarged spleen, high blood pressure in the liver, changes in mental function, coma, kidney failure and liver cancer. The first step in treatment is to stop drinking. A doctor may suggest changes in diet and certain vitamin supplements to help the liver recover from the alcohol-related damage. Medications may be needed to manage the complications caused by the liver damage. In advanced cases of cirrhosis, the only treatment option may be a liver transplant.

Hepatitis is another common cause of liver damage. Most patients infected with hepatitis B and some with hepatitis C recover completely with no further liver damage. However, some will develop chronic hepatitis leading to cirrhosis and the end stage of liver disease. This is more common with hepatitis C. A liver transplant under these circumstances is difficult to manage because the new liver almost always becomes infected with these viruses. Ongoing treatment is usually necessary to keep the new liver healthy. Most cancers of the liver develop in other parts of the body and spread to the liver. Occasionally, cancer develops first in the liver. This is called primary cancer or hepatoma. When a primary liver cancer is identified early, a liver transplant will be performed. Primary cancer of the liver has the lowest long-term survival at about 50%-60%. However, long- term survival is less common in this case than with transplants for other conditions.

Sometimes the only hope for survival when a patient reaches the end stage of liver disease is a liver transplant. This is a very complicated process with no guarantees. There are really three operations involved. The first is the removal of the liver from the donor, the second is the removal of the diseased liver from the patient, and the third is the operation to insert and connect the new liver. The new liver is attached to the various blood vessels and bile ducts. Long-term treatment against rejection is always necessary.

As with any disease, support from friends and family while coping with last stage liver disease can make all the difference on the world. Your survival may be contingent on lifestyle changes, so be with people who support your choice not to drink and to live a healthy lifestyle. If you are given the opportunity to have a transplant, the process can be painful and you will have to spend several weeks in the hospital. Don’t doubt the ability of your loved ones to help you get through this difficult time.