Macronodular cirrhosis is a type of cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver. It means the person has nodules, or irregular growths of tissue, more than 3 millimeters (mm) wide on the liver.
Cirrhosis is irreversible liver damage. Over time, scar tissue replaces healthy tissue. Nodules, or lumps of abnormal tissue, can also grow on the liver. These changes may stop the liver from working properly.
An estimated
There is no cure for cirrhosis, but doctors and people can take steps to slow the progression of the disease.
This article will explain what macronodular cirrhosis involves and how it differs from micronodular cirrhosis. It will also look at the causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Macronodular cirrhosis means that the person has scarring and nodules of more than
It is most likely to result from:
- hepatitis B virus (HBV)
- hepatitis C virus (HCV)
- primary biliary cholangitis
- alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
However, it can also indicate a progression of micronodular cirrhosis.
Macronodular cirrhosis is one type of cirrhosis. There is also micronodular and mixed cirrhosis. These have their own definitions but
Micronodular cirrhosis involves scarring of the liver and nodules less than 3 mm in diameter.
Micronodular cirrhosis has links to:
- alcohol consumption
- hemochromatosis
- chronic biliary obstruction
- hepatic venous outflow obstruction — an obstruction of the vein through which blood leaves the liver
Mixed cirrhosis involves scarring of the liver and nodules both smaller and greater than
Cirrhosis can stem from many factors. In some people, there may be more than one cause.
The
- alcoholic liver disease
- nonalcoholic liver disease
- long-term HCV infection
- long-term HBV infection
Less common causes include:
- autoimmune hepatitis
- diseases that damage the bile ducts, such as primary biliary cholangitis or primary sclerosing cholangitis
- inherited liver diseases, such as Wilson’s disease, hemochromatosis, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- long-term use of medicines that damage the liver, such as amiodarone, anabolic steroids, methotrexate, some antiseizure medications, and azathioprine
- heart failure with liver congestion — a health condition that slows the rate at which blood flows out of the liver
The liver has
- storing nutrients
- removing waste products and dead cells from the blood
- filtering and processing the chemicals in food, alcohol, and medicines
- producing the bile the body needs to digest fats and remove waste products
Because of the liver’s vital role in the body, cirrhosis can affect multiple organs and systems, including the:
- digestive system
- blood
- kidneys
- lungs
- nails and skin
- endocrine system, which controls the body’s hormones
Not everyone with cirrhosis will experience symptoms. In the early stages, a doctor will
In time, however, symptoms can appear, and they
- feeling tired or weak
- a low appetite
- losing weight without trying
- nausea, vomiting, or both
- discomfort or pain in the upper right abdomen
Cirrhosis can
- bleeding or bruising easily
- feeling confused or having difficulty thinking
- memory loss
- changes to personality
- developing sleep disorders
- edema that leads to swelling in the ankles, lower legs, or feet
- ascites, or a buildup of fluid in the tummy, and feeling bloated
- very itchy skin
- dark urine
- jaundice, or a yellow tint in the whites of the eyes and on the skin
There is currently
- treating any underlying conditions, such as hepatitis or primary biliary cholangitis
- avoiding alcohol
- getting vaccinated against HBV
- eating a nutritious and balanced diet
- managing weight
In some cases, doctors may recommend a liver transplant.
The outlook depends on the stage or severity of cirrhosis at diagnosis.
Compensated cirrhosis is when doctors diagnose cirrhosis before symptoms appear. At this stage, the liver can still compensate for the damage and function effectively.
The 10-year survival rate of compensated cirrhosis is
Decompensated cirrhosis is when a person has started to experience symptoms. At this point, the body will experience problems due to a lack of liver function.
The 10-year survival rate for decompensated cirrhosis is
However, it is important to remember that these figures are just a guide, and many factors can affect the outcome, including a person’s age, lifestyle habits, and other health considerations.
Macronodular cirrhosis is when a person has nodules of more than 3 mm in diameter on their liver. If there are nodules of less than 3 mm, the person has micronodular cirrhosis.
Factors that can cause cirrhosis include alcohol use and hepatitis.
There is currently no cure for macronodular cirrhosis, but steps to slow or stop its progression include avoiding alcohol and eating a nutritious and varied diet.
In some cases, doctors may recommend a liver transplant.