Life Expectancy With Cirrhosis of the Liver: What to Expect

Certain Risk Factors Can Affect Life Expectancy

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People with cirrhosis of the liver have a life expectancy of between two and 12 years. If you have early-stage cirrhosis, treatment and lifestyle changes can help you live longer. People with advanced cirrhosis of the liver have a much shorter life expectancy.

This article looks at survival rates and life expectancy for people with cirrhosis of the liver. It also discusses symptoms and treatment for this condition.

symptoms of alcoholic liver disease
Verywell / Emily Roberts

What Is Cirrhosis of the Liver?

Cirrhosis of the liver occurs when healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue. This happens when the liver is inflamed and swollen for long periods of time. 

Cirrhosis of the liver is the last stage of alcoholic liver disease. Cirrhosis can also happen in people who don't drink alcohol. Over time, chronic viral hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis of the liver. Other conditions such as obesity, high cholesterol, and bile duct disease can also lead to cirrhosis.

Healthcare providers classify cirrhosis of the liver as either compensated or decompensated. Compensated cirrhosis is considered early stage, and decompensated cirrhosis is considered late stage.

People with compensated cirrhosis don't usually have symptoms. If you have decompensated cirrhosis, you are more likely to experience symptoms and complications such as:

  • Nausea and loss of appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Abdominal pain
  • Weight loss
  • Itching
  • Spider-like blood vessels
  • Bleeding and bruising
  • Swelling of the legs
  • Swelling of the abdomen
  • Jaundice, a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes
  • Brain and nervous system problems such as memory problems, numbness in extremities, and fainting

Pain increases as the disease progresses and you may feel pain beyond the abdomen as cirrhosis causes inflammation throughout the body.

Life Expectancy

Life expectancy with cirrhosis of the liver depends on the stage at diagnosis and the steps you and your healthcare provider take to treat and manage the condition. 

People with compensated cirrhosis of the liver generally have a life expectancy of between 9 and 12 years, especially with lifestyle changes to help improve the liver's health. People with decompensated cirrhosis tend to have a much shorter life expectancy of around two years.

Some of the variables that can influence your life expectancy include:

  • Your age
  • Alcohol use
  • If you have any other medical conditions such as heart or kidney disease
  • If you are overweight or obese
  • If you are malnourished

The amount of time you have to live after your diagnosis depends on your health and how far the disease has progressed. If you have alcoholic liver disease, one of the most important things you can do to increase your lifespan is to quit drinking.

Treatments

If you have cirrhosis of the liver, there are things you can do to help treat the condition and improve your life expectancy. The most important thing you can do is treat the cause of the condition.

If you have alcoholic liver disease, for example, stop drinking alcohol. If you are alcohol-dependent, you may need professional treatment to break your addiction.

If your condition is caused by viral hepatitis, antiviral medication can prevent additional damage to your liver. 

Other treatments include:

  • Medications such as beta-blockers and diuretics to help control symptoms
  • Getting plenty of exercise
  • Reducing your weight
  • Quitting smoking
  • Making sure you're getting the right nutrients
  • For some people, a liver transplant may be necessary

Living With Cirrhosis of the Liver

Cirrhosis of the liver can't be reversed, but it is possible to slow or stop its progression. If you have risk factors for cirrhosis of the liver, it's important to see a healthcare provider regularly so the condition can be diagnosed early. Early diagnosis, treatment, and management can prolong your life for many years.

Quitting alcohol, losing weight, and adopting a healthy lifestyle are the best things you can do while living with cirrhosis of the liver. Make sure to see your healthcare provider regularly. If your condition progresses, talk with your healthcare provider about the possibility of a liver transplant. 

Summary

Cirrhosis of the liver is a scarring of the liver that happens after many years of swelling and inflammation. It can have a number of possible causes, including long-term alcohol consumption and viral hepatitis.

Life expectancy with cirrhosis of the liver depends on whether you are in the early or late stage of the disease. People in the early stage of the disease may live between nine and 12 years, while people in the late stages may only live two years.

You can help extend your life expectancy by treating the underlying cause of your condition. If you drink, quit. If you have viral hepatitis, antiviral medications can prevent further liver damage. Adopting a healthy lifestyle and losing weight are some of the other things you can do to slow progression of the disease and live a longer, healthier life.

4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  2. Shetty A, Jun Yum J, Saab S. The gastroenterologist's guide to preventive management of compensated cirrhosis. Gastroenterol Hepatol (NY). 2019;15(8):423-430

  3. Charatcharoenwitthaya P, Soonthornworasiri N, Karaketklang K, et al. Factors affecting mortality and resource use for hospitalized patients with cirrhosis: A population-based study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2017;96(32):e7782. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000007782

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Additional Reading

By Buddy T
Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism.