Liver cirrhosis

Symptoms indicating the need for diagnosis and treatment

The main clinical manifestations of liver cirrhosis include:

• Fatigue, rapid exhaustion
• Abdominal discomfort
• Low-grade fever (37–37.5°C)
• Nausea, heartburn
• Pain in the right upper quadrant
• Joint pain
• Appearance of spider veins on the skin
• Male breast enlargement
• Yellowing of the skin
• Swelling of the face and neck
• Leg swelling
• Hair loss in the pubic and underarm areas
• Skin itching

In the late stages of cirrhosis, patients may develop white spots on their nails, intragastric hemorrhage from dilated veins of the gastrointestinal tract, and ascites (fluid accumulation). The liver significantly shrinks in size during this stage.

Diagnostic and treatment methods

Diagnosis

Depending on the patient’s current condition, a comprehensive set of diagnostic tests is prescribed, which includes:

• Blood biochemistry (ALT, AST, bilirubin, protein, ferritin)
• Hepatitis virus tests
• Urinalysis
• Ultrasound of the liver and abdominal organs
• Liver elastography
• CT, MRI
• Biopsy
• Treatment

Liver cirrhosis therapy is usually a combination of conservative measures. The primary goal is to correct lifestyle factors. Medication is focused on addressing the etiology (underlying cause) and symptomatology (clinical manifestations).

In cases of advanced cirrhosis, liver transplantation is required, which is performed in specialized surgical facilities.

Innovations in global clinics

Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) have made a discovery that preparing the recipient’s immune system with donor cells, rather than relying heavily on immunosuppressive drugs, can be effective. Monocytes are extracted from the donor’s blood and administered to the patient one week before liver transplantation. This approach helps reduce the risk of organ rejection.