Understanding Fibrosis and Cirrhosis from Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C causes liver damage that leads to fibrosis and cirrhosis and from there can lead to liver cancer or liver failure.

In this post I will briefly explain in an easy to understand way exactly how Hepatitis C causes fibrosis and cirrhosis. If you are looking for  more detailed information on liver fibrosis and cirrhosis I have included links to other pages.

What is Fibrosis and Cirrhosis of the Liver?

Put simply fibrosis and cirrhosis are basically the same thing, a build up of scar tissue in the liver. Cirrhosis is simple a significantly advanced stage of fibrosis. That is to say that the amount of scar tissue in the liver has reached such a point that liver failure is possible.

Fibrosis is measured in four stages. These are written as F0, F1, F2, F3 and F4. F0 means there is no fibrosis and F4 means that the liver damage is extensive and liver function is being significantly effected.

Fibrosis and cirrhosis are typically caused by alcoholism or hepatitis infection. Technically speaking fibrosis of the liver is a scarring of liver tissue, usually as a result a chronic disease of the liver. Cirrhosis is marked by degeneration of liver cells, inflammation of the liver, and fibrous thickening of liver tissue. The increasing scar tissue makes the liver “hard” or “stiff”