A 35-year-old member asked:
Is cirrhosis of the liver cancer?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in

Dr. Liawaty Hoanswered
Hematology and Oncology 24 years experience
No it is not: Cirrhosis is not cancer.It is caused by chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by scar tissue and regenerative nodules leading to loss of liver function. You are at risk to develop liver cancer if you have liver cirrhosis.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Umut Sarpelanswered
Surgery 21 years experience
No, but raises risk: Cirrhosis describes the scarring that occurs when the liver has been damaged by hepatitis or alcohol use. Cirrhosis is not cancer, but it is a strong risk factor for the development of liver cancer. In fact, any person with cirrhosis should undergo regular screening to detect the development of cancer. Guidelines recommend a liver ultrasound every 6 months in patients with cirrhosis.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Vivek Huilgol commented
Gastroenterology 36 years experience
The above is often supplemented by a blood test called AFP. BUT - this must be interpreted by someone who understands that negative screening tests are not perfect...
Sep 16, 2013
Similar questions
A 40-year-old member asked:
What is a difference between liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver?
6 doctor answers • 13 doctors weighed in

Dr. Sidney Vinsonanswered
Gastroenterology 28 years experience
See below: Cirrhosis is the replacement of normal tissues in the liver with scar tissue. This affects the functioning of the liver. Liver cancer is when cells in the liver begin growing out of control creating a tumor or mass.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 24-year-old member asked:
What's the chance of getting liver cancer when you have cirrhosis?
5 doctor answers • 26 doctors weighed in

Dr. Luke Hermannanswered
Emergency Medicine 26 years experience
Depends: It depends on what caused the cirrhosis but all patients with a severely damaged liver are at increased risk to develop liver cancer- roughly 2% chance per year.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

A Verified Doctor commented
A US doctor answered Learn more
Male gender, older age, obesity, alcohol and tobacco consumption, and diabetes are factors associated with an increased risk of liver cancer.
Jan 23, 2012
A 34-year-old member asked:
If you have cirrhosis of the liver does that increase your risk of liver cancer?
4 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in

Dr. Sidney Vinsonanswered
Gastroenterology 28 years experience
Yes: Cirrhosis is one of the most common causes of liver cancer.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
What are the causes of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer?
3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in

Dr. Sidney Vinsonanswered
Gastroenterology 28 years experience
Multiple: The most common causes of liver cancer are cirrhosis and hepatitis b. Cirrhosis can be caused by any type of hepatitis (alcoholic, infectious, autoimmune, iron storage diseases, non-alcoholic fatty liver, e tc).
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Armenia
A 28-year-old female asked:
How can liver cirrhosis and liver cancer be differenciated???
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. David Earleanswered
General Surgery 32 years experience
Usually: Primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC) can usually be seen on modern ct scan, or PET-ct scan. It is usually seen as a separate mass within a nodular, shrunken liver if cirrhosis is present. Definitive diagnosis is usually made with a biopsy of the tissue, often done by an interventional radiologist. No scan however is perfect. Hope this helps.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated May 2, 2019
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