Staging Liver Disease

Introduction

Liver staging is the process of estimating the severity of fibrosis or scarring in the liver.

• The severity of fibrosis is a predictor of liver-related morbidity and mortality.
• Quantifying the degree of fibrosis helps risk-stratify those patients who need further evaluation and potential treatment.
• When fibrosis is still in its early stages, the damage is often limited and reversible.
• Early detection and treatment of liver fibrosis can significantly improve a person’s chances of a full recovery.
• Advanced fibrosis can lead to widespread, irreversible damage that can eventually lead to cirrhosis, portal hypertension, liver decompensation or liver cancer.