Liver Diseases

Liver disease significantly impacts overall health by impairing the liver’s essential functions, such as detoxification, digestion, and nutrient storage. When the liver is damaged, it can lead to serious complications, including jaundice, fatigue, and hormonal imbalances. As liver function declines, individuals become more vulnerable to infections and may suffer nutritional deficiencies.

If left untreated, liver disease can result in severe consequences, including liver failure and an increased risk of liver cancer. Understanding the effects of liver disease is crucial for early detection and effective management, vital for maintaining overall well-being.

Liver cysts may be found in up to 5% of the population; however, most liver cysts do not cause symptoms. They are more often found in females and are the most common benign (non-cancerous) lesion in the liver.

Liver cysts may also be caused by a variety of infections, such as Hydatid disease. In general, a simple liver cyst that is not causing symptoms is left alone. Cysts may be removed if they are causing symptoms or if it is not clear they are benign (non-cancerous).

The diagnosis of a liver cyst is normally made via a combination of the history, blood tests, and specialised imaging tests such as a CT or MRI. Liver cysts may be removed via the laparoscopic (keyhole) or open technique.

It is a chronic liver disease characterised by abnormal structure and function of the liver.
Healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, partially blocking the flow of blood through the liver.

Treatment includes avoidance of alcohol, nutritional therapy, and other therapies.
Liver transplantation is the final option for patients with liver failure.

It is a major surgery in which the diseased liver is removed and replaced with a healthy liver from a donor.

The most common primary cancer of the liver is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This cancer is related to cirrhosis, which may be caused by excessive alcohol, Non-Alcoholic Steato-Hepatitis (NASH, also known as Fatty Liver), or Hepatitis B or C infection.

Colorectal cancer may also spread to the liver (metastasise). Although this is not a true liver cancer, it represents a large proportion of cancers for which liver surgery is performed in Australia.

In addition to cancer, there are a wide variety of benign conditions that may be detected on imaging performed for other regions and may be mistaken for cancer.

The diagnosis of liver tumours is based on a combination of the patient’s history, blood tests, specialised imaging such as a CT or MRI scan of the liver, and only occasionally with a biopsy.

Once the diagnosis is made, there are a variety of treatment options available. Surgery is normally the gold standard treatment and, when appropriate, can be performed by either laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) or open surgical approaches.

Liver transplant is a treatment option available for some people with liver cancer who meet certain criteria.

Is not a disease, but rather a symptom of liver diseases. It is yellow discolouration of skin due to high levels of bilirubin in the blood