Screening for Cirrhosis

The purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are usually given to people without current symptoms but who may be at high risk for certain diseases or conditions.

There are no screening guidelines for cirrhosis. However, there are promising non-invasive methods which can look at the severity of the fibrosis in individuals at high risk of developing liver cirrhosis (for example, chronic alcoholism, chronic viral hepatitis). The tests include breath testing, blood tests, and imaging techniques.

References

American Liver Foundation website. Available at: http://www.liverfoundation.org. Accessed March 8, 2006.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niddk.nih.gov. Accessed March 7, 2006.

National Library of Medicine website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov. Accessed March 8, 2006.

Smith JO, Sterling RK. Non-invasive Methods of Fibrosis Analysis in Chronic Hepatitis C. Alimentary Pharm Therap. 2009;30:557-76.

Revision Information

Reviewer: Marcin Chwistek, MD
Review Date: 10/2012
Update Date: 10/11/2012

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.