Stage F0-F1 fibrosis of the liver is commonly used to determine whether a patient's liver fibrosis is at stage F0 or F1. Because liver cirrhosis is a dangerous disease with a low success rate of treatment, early detection at the F0 or F1 stage is crucial for mitigating disease progression and preventing the development of complications.
This article was professionally consulted by a Gastroenterologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec International General Hospital Hai Phong.
1. What is cirrhosis of the liver? What causes it?
Cirrhosis occurs when liver cells are damaged over a long period, characterized by the replacement of liver tissue with scar tissue and fibrous tissue, as well as the appearance of regenerative nodules, leading to impaired liver function.
The etiology of cirrhosis is multifactorial, encompassing:
- Hepatitis B, C,...;
- Alcohol, beer, tobacco;
- Biliary tract disorders, such as cholelithiasis or biliary obstruction;
- Malnutrition;
- Obesity, diabetes;
- Parasitic infections (liver flukes, schistosomiasis);
- Effects from medications and chemicals;
- Primary biliary cirrhosis; heart disease;
Inherited metabolic disorders and some cases of unknown cause.
Among the aforementioned etiological factors, viral hepatitis (40%) and alcohol/tobacco-related hepatitis (18%) represent the predominant causes of cirrhosis.
Trắc nghiệm: Làm thế nào để bảo vệ lá gan khỏe mạnh?
Làm test trắc nghiệm kiểm tra hiểu biết về gan có thể giúp bạn nhận thức rõ vai trò quan trọng của gan, từ đó có các biện pháp bảo vệ gan để phòng ngừa bệnh tật.2. What does stage F0-F1 fibrosis of the liver mean?
Liver fibrosis stage F0 means no fibrosis is present.
Liver fibrosis stage F1, also known as stage 1 fibrosis, in which the liver begins to show damage but there are no obvious signs. During this stage, patients rarely see clinical symptoms due to their very subtle appearance.
Non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, weight loss, anorexia, and common gastrointestinal disturbances… may arise as a consequence of nascent fibrotic scar tissue formation.
In addition, many people tend to underestimate or mistake the symptoms of stage 1 liver fibrosis for other diseases, making it easy to misinterpret and overlook them.
As the disease progresses, more serious symptoms develop, including:
- Confusion, memory loss.
- Jaundice (skin and eyes)
- Vomiting blood, blood in stool.
- Decreased sex drive, early menopause, testicular atrophy,...
- Ascites (accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity)
- Pruritus, hyperpigmentation
- Easy bruising/bleeding
- Pale stools, dark urine
3. Can F1 liver cirrhosis be cured?
The earliest and least severe stage of hepatic fibrosis is designated F1. In this stage, fibrous tissue is just beginning to appear, while healthy liver cells are still able to compensate for the function of the fibrotic cells, so the patient's health is not yet significantly affected.
This early stage is considered a good time for treatment, but because the symptoms of the disease are not yet clearly manifested, most patients are unaware that they have the disease. By the time the disease is detected, it has progressed to more severe levels such as F2, F3, and F4 cirrhosis.
The treatment process for F1 liver cirrhosis mainly aims to control the underlying cause and actively implement conservative treatment methods, thereby helping to improve liver function for better effectiveness.
The treatment for F1 liver cirrhosis is as follows:
- Complete abstinence from alcohol: Continued alcohol consumption precludes hepatic recovery, irrespective of other therapeutic interventions, as this is a common cause of liver disease.
- Controlling hepatitis viruses: To prevent disease progression, patients with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B and C viruses need to actively undergo antiviral treatment.
- Avoiding drug abuse: Medications that can affect the liver should be discontinued.
- Treating the causes of biliary obstruction and intrahepatic cholestasis.
- Healthy diet and lifestyle: To protect health, patients need to establish a reasonable diet and rest regime, focusing on increasing foods that are good for the liver and easy to digest. In addition, consulting a doctor to learn about some foods that help cool and detoxify the liver is essential.
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle: Eating and sleeping on time, moderate exercise, avoiding staying up late, avoiding negative thoughts, etc.
Regular liver check-ups every 6 months.
4. Significance of accurate determination of liver fibrosis stage
Accurate liver fibrosis staging allows patients to understand their liver damage and access appropriate treatment. Particularly in individuals with hepatitis B infection, the presence of hepatic fibrosis signifies an elevated risk of cirrhosis development.
Enhanced monitoring of the therapeutic response allows for accurate assessment of fibrosis progression. From there, patients will be applied to more effective treatment methods."
Overall, knowing the symptoms of cirrhosis is very important. If you experience any concerning signs, seek immediate medical attention to timely treatment, and prevent serious complications.
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