How to tell if the liver is getting better and avoid transplant?

[albert48]

Doctor:
Diagnose by biopsy – alcohol cirrhosis. (Currently with jaundice, ascites etc).

After stopping alcohol and evaluating the livers progress with blood work which results are looked at most. Albium? Bilirubin? INR? Etc.
What is looked at over the weeks/months to see if things are getting better and a transplant will not be needed?
At what level (or time frame)should these changes in results usually occur?
Thank you.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

cancer can occur in people who have cirrhosis.  the bilirubin can take weks-months sometimes to normalize.

[albert48]

Thank you doctor.
At what rate should bilirubin go down when alcohol is stopped?
You mention cancer is possible. Is cancer common in people who recover?

thank you.

[Thomas D Schiano, MD]

all of the blood tests that you cite are used to asess if there is recovery in liver function with sobriety.  even though the liver may recover the risk for liver cancer persists.