What’s the Difference Between Fibrosis & Cirrhosis?

Can I have fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver at the same time?

This is a common question, and the answer depends on the stage of the alteration. In short, a patient with liver cirrhosis will always have fibrosis. But someone who is undergoing liver fibrosis does not necessarily have cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is the final stage of fibrosis, and it is only reached when the scarring damage is extensive and very severe. In both cases, the clinical manifestations depend on the stage of the disease and other associated conditions. Thus, you can have patients without extensive liver damage and apparent symptoms and other patients with cirrhosis and no symptoms at all.