Tumorr Cirrhosis: A Case Study

Liver disease resulting from alcohol affects more than two million Americans and is one of the primary causes of illness and death. The liver frees the body of harmful substances, such as alcohol. While the liver breaks down alcohol, it produces toxins that can be even more dangerous than the alcohol consumed (“Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol's Impact Your Health” 13). “These by-products damage liver cells, promote inflammation, and weaken the body’s natural defenses. Eventually, these problems can disrupt the body’s metabolism and impair the function of other organs” (“Beyond Hangovers: Understanding Alcohol's Impact Your Health” 13). A condition called steatosis is the result of fat build up in the liver and is the

Cirrhosis is the 11th leading cause of death by disease in the United States. Almost one half of these are alcohol related. About 25,000 people die from cirrhosis each year.

The foundation for a Drug Free World (2017) outlines the effects of binge drinking for an individual, including drowsiness, vomiting, and liver disease. Valley Sleep Centre (2016) suggests that alcohol causes drowsiness, due to alcohol’s sedative effect (substance that relieves anxiety and helps you fall asleep). On the other hand, New Health Advisor (2014) exclaims that vomiting is caused by the excessive consumption of alcohol, and it is the reaction to get rid of the extreme amount of alcohol in the body’s system. Alcoholic cirrhosis, a type of liver disease is considered by Patient (2015) to be when the liver loses its capability to function efficiently, and is caused by around 10 years of heavy

Inadequate nutrition secondary to alcohol consumption is not uncommon as the disease progresses (Merck, 2009).

The MD Anderson Liver Tumor biospecimen resource has been invaluable for a large number of studies or clinical development. The sixth and subsequent editions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging of hepatocellular cancer, which was developed by an international consortium led by Jean-Nicolas Vauthey, MD, Professor of Surgery at MD Anderson and co-leader on project 2 of the SPORE, was based upon pathologic review of resected specimens in the Liver Tumor Bank (Vauthey JN J Clin Oncol 2002 20:1527-36). In addition, investigators at MD Anderson examined tissues in the Liver Tumor Bank to elucidate the prognostic significance of the ribonucleoprotein Human Antigen R (HuR) showing that patients with high HuR tumor expression had

Cirrhosis is known as a chronic disease of the liver. Cirrhosis usually develops when the scar tissue replaces normal, healthy tissue in the liver. It tends to happen whenever healthy cells are damaged over a long amount of time, usually for many years. However, the scar tissue makes the liver lumpy and hard, after a while, the organs will start to fail and the scar tissue makes it tough for the blood to get through a large vein (the portal vein) that goes into the liver. Occasionally when the blood backs up into the portal vein, it can get into the spleen (an abdominal organ involved in the production and removal of blood cells) and can really cause trouble. What causes this is other liver conditions or diseases the person may already have, which includes an (alcohol-related liver disease) by drinking too much alcohol for many years non-stop. It causes fat and inflammation in the liver. The amount of alcohol that it takes to hurt the liver is different for everyone.

This paper describes, briefly, the stages of the alcoholism as it slowly damages the liver, and finally results in permanent, irreversible damage called cirrhosis. Excessive alcohol consumption, or alcoholism is the number one cause of cirrhosis in the U.S. Though tolerance levels are different for each individual, daily consumption of more than ten alcoholic drinks over ten or more years contribute to a higher risk of cirrhosis. The first part of the paper will describe the liver and what the liver does. I will also discuss different levels of drinking leading to alcoholism. Finally, the paper will also discuss the deterioration levels leading to the signs and symptoms of cirrhosis.

* Other treatments - Cirrhosis of the liver is incurable but, in some cases, treatment can help to reduce the likelihood that the condition will become worse. Options include: treating the underlying cause of liver damage - for example, treating the underlying hepatitis (B or C) virus infection, removal of blood to lower iron levels in haemochromatosis ,making dietary and lifestyle changes - a nutritious low-fat diet. high-protein diet and exercise can help people to avoid malnutrition. Taking certain medications - such as beta-blockers to reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of bleeding, diuretics to remove excess fluid Avoiding certain medications that can make the symptoms worse - such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opiates or sedatives ,having regular medical check-ups - including scans to check for liver cancer, having regular endoscopic procedures to check whether there are varicose veins within the oesophagus or stomach.

According to the Mayo Clinic Staff, cirrhosis is a late stage of scarring (fibrosis) or damage of the liver. Once the liver is injured it tries to restore itself. Once restored, it forms scar tissue. The more scar tissue formed, the harder it becomes for the liver to function. Cirrhosis is irreversible and there are different causes of cirrhosis, such alcoholic abuse, viral hepatitis or cryptogenic cirrhosis—this occurs when doctors are unable to find the cause of the condition. If diagnosed and treated early, the damage would be limited. In its advanced

drinking at an early age can not only cause severe liver damage, but also increases the risk of

If it is not possible to stop, then one should limit the rate of alcohol consumption and how often the consumption is done. Sexual behavior can also lead to cirrhosis (Schuppan 849). One should, therefore, avoid unprotected sexual contact that appears risky. One should be careful while handling chemicals. Besides, limiting exposure to a toxic environment where heavy metals and other poisonous substances are available is also important. In case it is unavoidable, protective clothing should be worn (Wong, 1543). Hepatitis B is a risk to getting liver cirrhosis and therefore it is advisable to vaccinate against it. Eating well-balanced diet incorporated with vegetables and fruits it helpful in minimizing the rate of infection of the disease. The vegetables and fruits provides vitamin E that helps in boosting the immune system of the

• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Some preventions that can be done to avoid having cirrhosis is to stop bad habits such as large alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking and eating too much. Antioxidant-rich foods and drinks can prevent cirrhosis as well. People who have specific conditions should take some antiviral medicine to prevent the complications of getting hepatitis B or C. By doing this, the next step that could have happened which is getting cirrhosis would be prevented. All patients with cirrhosis who are positive for HBsAg should get an oral antiviral therapy using entecavir or tenofovir antiviral medicines.

There are many preventative measures and lifestyle modifications that can reduce the chances of developing liver cancer. The avoidance of viral hepatitis is imperative, being vaccinated against hepatitis B during childhood offers increased defense against the disease causing virus. Avoiding intravenous drug use, and other factors directly related to the contraction of hepatitis B and C is also key. Excessive alcohol consumption is known to contribute to liver damage, more specifically cirrhosis. Thus avoiding alcoholism is an important lifestyle factor in the prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma. Routine medical exams with one’s physician can identify risk factors, these exams may include screening for liver cancer and other related antecedents. Individuals with hemochromatosis and autoimmune disorders of the liver should be screened frequently for the potential development of hepatoma.

Alcohol has no beneficial attributes on a person’s health. Alcohol can have several harmful effects on human organs. Some organs in the human body that are damaged by alcohol consumption are the brain, kidneys, and liver. The human liver is the one organ that suffers the most damage. As stated in an article published by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “Because the liver is the chief organ responsible for metabolizing alcohol, it is especially vulnerable to alcohol – related injury” (NIAAA, 2005). Regular use of alcohol can lead to alcoholic liver disease (ALD). The severity of ALD can vary based on several different factors. Some of these factors include gender, age, the amount consumed, and how often alcohol is used. “ALD includes three conditions: fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis” (Alcohol Alert, 2005).