[Hepatology] Chronic liver disease

Chronic liver disease refers to liver pathologies which last longer than 6 months.

The main chronic liver diseases are: 

• Chronic hepatitis
• Cirrhosis
• Malignancies

Progression

1. Chronic inflammatory stimuli (e.g. hepatitis viruses) maintain chronic hepatitis. 
2. Chronic hepatitis causes progressive fibrosis.
3. The fibrosis culminates in cirrhosis.
4. Cirrhosis provides a conducive environment for cellular transformation. 
5. This environment favours the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.