Why is the liver enlarged in the early stages of cirrhosis?

Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
Updated on May 18, 2025
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In the early stages of cirrhosis, it is generally characterized by an enlarged liver and spleen. If it progresses to the middle and late stages, reaching the decompensated phase, the liver will significantly decrease in size, while the spleen will continue to enlarge. In the early stages of cirrhosis, timely treatment is essential. Identifying the cause of cirrhosis and then actively treating it is crucial to prevent the condition from worsening or causing complications. If early-stage cirrhosis is not treated promptly and progresses, the decompensated stage of cirrhosis may lead to complications such as ascites, lower limb edema, severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding, jaundice, and may even progress to liver cancer. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are very important.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Why does cirrhosis cause increasing weight loss and what can be done about it?

The reason why patients with cirrhosis are becoming thinner might be due to the decreased protein synthesis function of the liver after cirrhosis, leading to progressively lesser protein in the body, which results in the patient becoming thinner. It could also be because cirrhosis leads to poor digestion and absorption in patients, thereby reducing their absorption capacity and causing them to lose weight. Under these circumstances, some medications can be used for treatment, such as the infusion of albumin to supplement plasma proteins in the body. It is also important to actively treat the underlying cause of cirrhosis. For example, in the case of alcoholic cirrhosis, active efforts to abstain from alcohol and rehabilitative treatment are necessary. If the cirrhosis is caused by chronic hepatitis B virus infection, antiviral treatment should be administered.

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Written by Shen Jiang Chao
Radiology
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Can liver cirrhosis be detected by an ultrasound B-scan?

Liver cirrhosis can be diagnosed with an ultrasound. In the early stages of cirrhosis, there are no specific changes in the sonographic pattern visible on ultrasound. Typically, cirrhosis manifests as a decrease in liver volume, with imbalanced proportions of the liver lobes; both the left and right lobes may shrink, with compensatory hypertrophy observed in some cases in the left lobe. The liver capsule appears serrated, and the echoes from the liver area are coarser and stronger, with uneven distribution. It's possible to observe nodules with low or high echoes. The liver vessels vary in thickness, the hepatic veins may narrow, and the portal vein can widen. An enlarged portal vein can lead to symptoms like splenomegaly and ascites.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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How long can one live with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis?

We cannot give a definite answer on how long a patient with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis can live, as the life expectancy in late-stage cirrhosis is influenced by many factors including treatment measures, lifestyle adjustments, daily healthcare, and physical condition. Patients in the compensated stage of cirrhosis, if treated and the progression of cirrhosis is halted, with normal liver function and negative hepatitis B virus replication indicators, can work normally. In this state, the quality of life is good, and they can live to 70 to 80 years old. For patients in the decompensated stage of cirrhosis, if untreated and the cirrhosis is allowed to progress, about 70 to 80% may die within 5 years; however, aggressive treatment, including traditional Chinese medicine for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, combined with antiviral treatment, bleeding prevention, liver protection, and liver transplantation, can significantly increase the survival time of patients.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Can early-stage liver cirrhosis be cured by surgical resection?

Early-stage liver cirrhosis cannot be cured through surgical resection. Patients with early-stage liver cirrhosis need to clearly identify the cause of the cirrhosis if they wish to be cured. For instance, if the cirrhosis is due to alcohol, it requires actively quitting drinking. If the cirrhosis is caused by viral hepatitis, then active antiviral treatment is necessary for these early-stage patients. To cure the disease, it is essential to actively protect the liver and treat the underlying cause. If a patient with early-stage liver cirrhosis shows signs of liver cancer, then surgical treatment should be undertaken to remove the lesions as soon as possible.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Will early-stage cirrhosis cause lower back pain?

In the early stages of cirrhosis, there are generally no specific symptoms. Some patients may experience symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and aversion to oily foods. Typically, symptoms do not include lower back pain. However, if lower back pain occurs, it is necessary to consider and rule out diseases that frequently cause this symptom. Firstly, conditions such as lumbar muscle strain; secondly, issues like lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spine diseases; thirdly, kidney-related diseases, such as kidney stones, etc. Therefore, it is essential to first determine the cause of the lower back pain, or from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine, whether the pain is related to kidney deficiency? Then, a differential diagnosis can be made, followed by treatment. This approach will ensure more effective therapeutic outcomes.