Cirrhosis is a late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, chronic alcoholism, autoimmune liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Cirrhosis develops slowly over several years.

Individuals with early cirrhosis have normal liver function and may not have any symptoms. Their liver scans and blood tests may be almost normal. As cirrhosis progresses, patients may develop fatigue, yellowness of the eyes, swelling of the legs, or distension of the belly due to accumulation of fluid. Patients may also present with internal bleeding, mental confusion or secondary infections. Cirrhosis is the most important cause of liver cancer.

A patient suffering from any chronic liver disease should know whether he has progressed to cirrhosis or not. Late forms of cirrhosis ae not reversible and most patients eventually need a liver transplant once signs of liver failure develop.