PAMF Cirrhosis Care

Your liver is a busy organ, detoxifying harmful substances, making proteins and synthesizing glucose to name a few of its hundreds of functions. Cirrhosis impairs your liver’s ability to do its jobs, with many negative consequences. Liver specialists at Palo Alto Medical Foundation can help you stop and sometimes reverse the damage.

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Liver Transplant

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Managing Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis of the liver is the replacement of normal, healthy tissue with hardened scar tissue. As a result, the liver stops being able to perform many of its vital functions.

The leading cause of cirrhosis in the United States is alcoholism, followed by chronic hepatitis C. Other causes include non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune liver and bile duct disease and genetic diseases such as Wilson disease.

The Sutter Health network includes some of the leading liver specialists in the U.S., who are actively engaged in clinical research to discover new techniques and technologies to manage cirrhosis.

Specialists diagnose cirrhosis using liver function tests, Fibroscan and other imaging tests, endoscopy and liver biopsy. The goals of treatment are to prevent more damage through changes in lifestyle and diet and reduce side effects. If cirrhosis cannot be treated, a liver transplant may be recommended.

We also work with you to manage the many complications of cirrhosis, including:

Portal Hypertension — This causes bleeding in the stomach, rectum and esophagus. Treatment options may include medication, endoscopic treatment to tie off bleeding blood vessels and the placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) to reroute blood flow and reduce pressure.
Ascites — Fluid accumulation in the abdomen occurs with portal hypertension and can be addressed by inserting a long thin needle through the wall of the abdomen and withdrawing the fluid.
Encephalopathy — Poor liver function even affects your ability to think as toxins build up in the brain, causing confusion and forgetfulness.
Liver Cancer — Cirrhosis is a form of internal scarring in the liver, and is the leading cause of liver cancer. Your doctor may recommend an ultrasound every six months to screen for liver cancer.

In Your Corner

World-Class Liver Care

Sutter’s San Francisco Center for Liver Disease is a leading center for the diagnosis of common and rare liver diseases. Your liver is a surprisingly complex organ that performs many important functions, so early diagnosis of liver disease is especially important.

Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) Research

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune disease with injury and inflammation to the small bile ducts in the liver. This injury can eventually cause the bile ducts to collapse. Without bile ducts, bile (a digestive enzyme) builds up and causes liver damage.

Sutter Health Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) Research Sutter Health Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) Research