LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Liver: Liver Disease
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Liver damage from cirrhosis cannot be reversed, but treatment can stop or delay further progression and reduce complications. Treatment depends on the cause of cirrhosis and any complications a person is experiencing. For example, cirrhosis caused by alcohol abuse is treated by abstaining from alcohol. Treatment for hepatitis-related cirrhosis involves medications used to treat the different types of hepatitis, such as interferon for viral hepatitis and corticosteroids for autoimmune hepatitis. Cirrhosis caused by Wilson disease, in which copper builds up in organs, is treated with medications to remove the copper. These are just a few examples—treatment for cirrhosis resulting from other diseases depends on the underlying cause.
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According to the American Liver Foundation, chronic liver disease is the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S., resulting in approximately $10 billion in annual healthcare costs. The World Health Organization estimates that 20 million people worldwide have cirrhosis of the liver and/or liver cancer, arising predominantly among the estimated 500 million persons (nearly 10% of the world population) who are afflicted with persistent hepatitis B or hepatitis C viral infections. Liver failure may ... result from excessive alcohol consumption, aggressive forms of fatty liver disease or other chronic liver disorders. It can also be caused by ingestion of common medications, such as acetaminophen, contaminated herbal medicines, or toxic mushrooms. An estimated one to two million persons worldwide die each year from liver failure, with more than 50,000 deaths per year in the United States. Liver failure typically develops slowly, and its progression usually goes unnoticed until it becomes life-threatening.
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Liver transplantation is now an accepted form of treatment for chronic, severe liver damage. Advances in surgical techniques and the use of new drugs to suppress rejection have dramatically improved the success rate. Steatohepatitis is one of the more uncommon reasons for a liver transplant. However, every transplant center does a few each year as a result of this disease. Survival rates at transplant centers are well over 90% with a good quality of life after recovery.
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On Friday, April 4, The American Liver Foundation will salute Bobby Banks, the man who took the first steps toward what would become the Run for Research® marathon team. Bobby’s simple desire to “do something” and help a young boy with liver disease turned into one of the oldest and largest charity teams of the Boston Marathon®. His story has created a chorus of memories for all of who have crossed the finish line and raised money for the American Liver Foundation. His desire to help another has created a legacy of hope for the Run for Research® team.
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Liver transplantation was first introduced as a clinical procedure in the 1960's and is now recognized as a state-of-the-art therapy for patients with end stage liver disease. The University of Virginia Health System performed its first liver transplant in September 1989. Since that timemore than650 liver transplants have been performed at the Health System. The Charles O. Strickler Transplant Centerserves the citizens of Virginia as well as manyout-of-state pateints who have been referred for particularly challenging cases, and serves as an international referral center forliver transplants.
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"The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is always pleased when new therapies prove effective for those affected by liver disease. Researchers worldwide, including those supported by ALF, have spent decades studying liver cancer," said James L. Boyer, M.D., chairman, board of directors, American Liver Foundation. "This new treatment provides a valuable option for liver cancer patients and will enable ALF to further promote the treatment of liver disease through our education and advocacy efforts."
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