The late stage prognosis | Is cirrhosis of the liver curable?

The late stage prognosis

The late stage of liver cirrhosis, also called end stage, is accompanied by numerous subsequent symptoms and complications. Both the production of vital proteins such as albumin and the elemination of bilirubin or other toxic metabolic processes are already severely restricted. Blood congestion in the liver (portal vein hypertension) leads to changes in other organs with sometimes considerable subsequent complications.

Accordingly, the blood vessels can form bypass circuits which, in combination with greatly reduced blood clotting, can lead to severe bleeding. The blood count is also greatly altered by organic changes in the spleen, so that infections can occur more easily. Treatment of late stage liver cirrhosis sometimes requires intensive care, as the numerous complications of the disease can lead to ever new problems.

Symptomatic therapy is the main focus in the final stage of liver cirrhosis, with liver transplantation remaining the only causal therapeutic option. However, transplantation is only considered under certain conditions and strict criteria. Using the Child-Pugh Classification, in addition to the stage classification, an exact personal risk for the occurrence of further complications and death can be calculated. In total, about 35% of patients in stage Child C survive within one year, which means that life expectancy for cirrhosis of the liver in this stage is rather low.