Medical dictionary

What is a liver biopsy? A liver biopsy is a procedure that is performed to remove a portion of the liver, which will be examined under a microscope to check for signs of damage or disease. What are the different types of liver biopsy? There are three main types of biopsy: laparoscopic, percutaneous, and transvenous. Percutaneous liver biopsy This is the most commonly-used techni

What is liver cancer?Liver cancer can be of two kinds. Primary liver cancer is a form of cancer that starts in the liver, as opposed to secondary liver cancer which starts elsewhere in the body and travels to the liver. Most cancer that is found in the liver is secondary cancer, as cancer cells travelling around the body often end up in the liver.What are the symptoms of liver cancer?The usual sym

What is a liver cyst? Liver cysts are fluid-filled sacs of a mass of cells, which are benign (non-cancerous) and grow on the liver. More often than not, they do not require treatment and do not affect the function of the liver. If the liver cyst becomes large, you may experience pain and other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, which will pass by itself. In rare cases, surgery may be required

What is liver disease?   Hepatic or liver diseases are those which affect the liver tissue and disrupt the liver function. Loss of liver function can greatly impact the body. There are many different types of liver diseases that have various causes such as infections, genetic conditions, or substance misuse. Liver diseases can lead to more serious complications, that can be life threa

What is a liver function test?Liver functions tests help diagnose and monitor liver disease by testing the blood.The tests measure the level of certain proteins and enzymes in the blood. Certain enzymes are released by the liver when it is damaged or diseased, and therefore it is helpful to measure these as an indicator. The same can be said for measuring proteins, such as bilirubin, which is a bl

What is liver surgery? Liver surgery is the group of surgical procedures used to treat various liver problems, such as: Cirrhosis Liver cancer Hepatitis B and C Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD)   The liver is the organ that is responsible for: Producing bile which helps the body to absorb fats and cholesterol. Removing toxins and bacteria from the blood. P

When is a liver transplant required? The liver is a major organ, with the main function of filtering the blood that goes around the body and producing bile that breaks down foods in the small intestine. If the liver becomes so diseased or damaged that it cannot heal, known as liver failure, then it may be necessary for it to be transplanted with a replacement healthy one. What are the ma

What is long COVID? Long COVID is the medical term given to the continuation of symptoms associated with the COVID-19 virus, that persist for 12 weeks or more. This can otherwise be known as post-COVID syndrome.  What are the main symptoms of long COVID? It has been medically proven that symptoms of long COVID include: tiredness/fatigue shortness of breath

What is longevity?Longevity refers to the total length of an individual's life, but in modern clinical practice, the concept encompasses far more than simply adding years to a person's existence. Medical professionals increasingly distinguish between lifespan, which is the absolute number of years lived, and health span, which is the period of life spent free from chronic disease, disability, and