Diseases That May Lead to Transplantation

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis refers to scarring of the liver. Scar tissue forms because of injury or long-term disease. It replaces healthy tissue.

Scar tissue cannot do what healthy liver tissue does—make protein, help fight infections, clean the blood, help digest food, and store energy for when you need it. Scar tissue also blocks the normal flow of blood through the liver.

Your symptoms, a physical examination, and certain tests can help your doctor diagnose cirrhosis. A liver biopsy will confirm the diagnosis.

Reference and Publication Information

The United Network for Organ Sharing is committed to providing accurate and reliable information for transplant patients. To learn more about our content authorship and review process, please read about our Editorial Board.

The content on this page was originally created on May 5, 2006 by the United Network for Organ Sharing and last modified on May 11, 2006. The following sources were used as references:

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, retrieved May 11, 2006.

National Library of Medicine, retrieved May 11, 2006.

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