What Is the Average Lifespan for Someone With Cirrhosis?
The life expectancy of patients suffering from cirrhosis of the liver is dependent upon the severity of their condition. A measure of the patient's condition is classified according to the Child-Pugh rating system.
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Child-Pugh Score
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Child-Pugh classifications not only provide patients with an understanding of their condition relative to others with cirrhosis, but offer a well-defined window for life expectancy.
Child Class A
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A Child-Pugh score is the best way to measure the life expectancy for cirrhosis patients. The Child-Pugh ranking of Child Class A is perhaps the best-case scenario for cirrhosis patients. The individuals in this category are estimated to have a 15- to 20-year life expectancy.
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Child Class B
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Transplantation is recommended when a patient is categorized as a Child Class B. As a patient's severity is downgraded to Child Class B, he or she will be referred by their physician to the nearest liver transplant center to receive a transplant evaluation.
Child Class C
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Child Class C is the most critical of all the Child-Pugh ratings. These cirrhosis patients are usually found at the tops of the nation's transplant lists and are usually only expected to survive between 1 and 3 years.
Considerations
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Infection can quickly deteriorate the Child Class A and B patient's condition. Because cirrhosis patients have a reduced immune system, they are vulnerable to infection and other all other bodily contaminants which threaten to dramatically impair their health. Under these circumstances, Child Class A and B patients could quickly fall to Class C status.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Erik Söderström Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Steve Jurvetson Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Soffie Hicks Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Umberto Salvagnin
