Cirrhosis

Scarring of the liver caused by liver disease that results in abnormal regeneration of liver cells.  When advanced, cirrhosis can lead to the inability of the liver to carry out its metabolic, secretory, and synthetic functions.  It can impede blood flow to the liver, resulting in severe complications.  These include varicose veins in the esophagus that can bleed extensively, abnormal fluid accumulation in the body, an enlarged spleen leading to decrease in platelets involved in blood clotting, other abnormalities in blood clotting, and altered mental status known as hepatic encephalopathy.  If the liver is irreversibly damaged, a liver transplant may be necessary.