What is Liver Fibrosis and How is It Different from Cirrhosis?
Liver fibrosis is not an independent disease but rather a histological change caused by liver inflammation. Liver damage causes liver stellate cells to be over active and triggers the extra cellular matrix (ECM) synthesis to increase. More than normal amounts of collagen fiber deposits in the extra-cellular spaces of the liver cells and causes the liver cells to lose blood infusion and to be hardened. Chronic viral hepatitis B and C are the most common causes of liver fibrosis. During the chronic hepatitis course, fibrosis is a part of the inflammation activities. In the fibrosis stage, there is no lobular regeneration and this distinguishes it from cirrhosis. When fibrosis advances to cause fibrostic separations (or bridging) between the portal areas or between the portal area, the center vein, and the formation of pseudo-lobule, fibrosis enters the final stage, which is cirrhosis. Histological (biopsy) diagnosis classifies the severity of fibrosis into five stages, S0 to S4. S0 means
