Liver disease
Liver diseases can be caused by viruses, cirrhosis or alcohol overuse whose symptoms can include jaundice, nausea and swelling of the legs and abdomen. Liver specialists or hepatologists use treatments, such as lifestyle changes, medication and liver transplants.
Center for Liver Diseases in Dallas, Texas
Medical City Dallas’ Center for Liver Diseases offers innovative services and coordinated, compassionate care for patients with advanced liver disease.
A multidisciplinary team of experts, led by board-certified hepatologist KV Narayanan Menon, MD, provide personalized diagnoses and treatment plans, including liver transplantation, for all forms of liver disease, including liver cancer and hepatobiliary diseases such as those affecting the gallbladder and bile ducts.
Liver conditions treated at Medical City Dallas
Our multidisciplinary liver team includes specialists with expertise in treating a wide range of liver diseases and conditions, including those brought on by autoimmune diseases, hereditary conditions, viral hepatitis and others. Liver conditions treated at Medical City Dallas include:
- Acute liver failure
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Autoimmune liver disease
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Overlap syndromes
- Primary biliary cholangitis
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Benign liver tumors/masses
- Hepatic adenoma
- Focal nodular hyperplasia
- Hemangioma
- Cancers of the liver and bile ducts (hepatobiliary cancer)
- Hepatocellular carcinoma
- Cholangiocarcinoma
- Hepatoblastoma
- Cirrhosis (chronic liver disease and complications)
- Hereditary and metabolic liver disease
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
- Hereditary hemochromatosis
- Wilson disease
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Vascular liver disease
- Budd-Chiari syndrome
- Portal vein thrombosis
- Viral hepatitis
- Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E
The specialists at the Center for Liver Diseases are recognized for their easy access to patients and clinical expertise. Treatment plans are individualized for each patient and are focused on finding options resulting in the best outcomes possible.
Surgical treatment of liver diseases
At Medical City Dallas, specialists consider all treatment options before recommending the best one for you. Working together, you and your doctor decide on the treatment option that’s right for you. Our physicians specialize in surgical treatment of liver diseases, including laparoscopic and robotic resections, microwave ablation and radiofrequency ablation. If liver transplantation is recommended, we can provide seamless coordination of care with the transplant specialists at the Medical City Transplant Institute.
Our specialized physicians and services
The multidisciplinary Center for Liver Diseases team at Medical City Dallas includes specially trained professionals to help ensure you receive the most advanced, comprehensive care possible. Some of the professionals who may be part of your care team include:
- Hepatologist
- Transplant surgeon
- Transplant coordinator
- Transplant nurse practitioner/physician assistant
- Cardiologist
- Pathologist
- Interventional radiologist
- Radiologist
- Infectious disease physician
- Anesthesiologist
- Registered clinical dietitian
- Psychiatrist/psychologist
- Social worker
- Financial coordinator
- Chaplain
Liver disease: Frequently Asked Questions
What is liver disease?
Any condition causing damage to the liver and preventing it from functioning well is considered liver disease. There are more than 100 different kinds of liver disease, including hepatitis, fatty liver disease and liver cancer.
What are common causes of liver disease?
Common causes of liver disease include:
- Autoimmune disease
- Excessive use of alcohol
- Genetics
- Poor diet and/or obesity
- Reactions to medications, street drugs or toxic chemicals
- Viruses
How common is liver disease?
According to the American Liver Foundation, 5.5 million Americans live with chronic liver disease and occurrence is on the rise.
What are symptoms of liver disease?
Even though damage is happening to their liver, people with liver disease often have no symptoms. That’s why it’s so important to stay current on annual checkups and health screenings, and report anything unusual to your doctor. Early diagnosis may prevent liver damage.
If symptoms of liver disease do occur, they may include:
- Yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Chronic fatigue
- Dark-colored urine
- Itchy skin
- Pale-colored stool
- Swelling of the legs or ankles
How is liver disease diagnosed?
It’s important for your doctor to find the cause and extent of your liver damage, so expect a full health history and a thorough physical examination. Your doctor may also recommend:
- Blood tests, such as liver function tests or genetic tests
- Imaging, such as ultrasound, CT scan or MRI
- Tissue sample collection (biopsy)
How is liver disease treated?
Treatment for liver disease is dependent on your diagnosis and may include:
- Lifestyle modifications, such as losing weight or quitting alcohol
- Medication
- Surgery
- Liver transplant
Is liver disease reversible?
The liver is an incredible organ that can repair and even regenerate itself even when it has some scar tissue. You may be able to reverse damage from liver disease by following a well-managed treatment plan. However, liver disease damage can become irreversible and lead to liver failure, liver cancer or death if it’s not detected early and treated.
What are signs you need a liver transplant?
If your liver no longer functions well enough to keep you alive, liver transplantation is recommended. It’s a necessary, lifesaving procedure for someone with acute (sudden) or chronic (ongoing) liver failure. Regardless of the underlying cause, chronic liver failure is most often the result of cirrhosis, a condition in which healthy liver tissue has been replaced with scar tissue, leaving the liver unable to carry out its normal functions.
The most common reason for an adult in the U.S. to have a liver transplant is cirrhosis caused by fatty liver disease or hepatitis C.
Liver disease resources
Patients with liver disease and their families can find support and educational resources at the links below:
Where to find us
The Center for Liver Diseases is located at Medical City Dallas in Building C, Suite 300 J.