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GI Tract in Disease_Liver_Gallbladder_Pancreas

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This document summarizes major diseases of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

<strong>Cirrhosis</strong> is irreversible liver scarring from chronic injury that causes loss of function. Common causes include NAFLD, alcohol, hepatitis B/C, autoimmune and cholestatic diseases, and inherited disorders. Symptoms include fatigue, muscle wasting, jaundice, edema, ascites, GI bleeding from varices, and hepatic encephalopathy. Diagnosis may use blood tests, fibrosis scores, elastography, imaging, or biopsy. Major complications include variceal hemorrhage, ascites, encephalopathy, and liver cancer.

<strong>Portal hypertension complications</strong> include esophageal/gastric varices, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy. Variceal bleeding is life-threatening and treated with endoscopic banding, medications, or TIPS. Ascites is managed with sodium restriction, diuretics, and sometimes TIPS. Encephalopathy is treated by correcting triggers and using lactulose and rifaximin.

<strong>Hepatocellular carcinoma</strong> is a common lethal cancer associated with cirrhosis and hepatitis B. Surveillance is typically ultrasound with or without AFP every 6 months. Treatment depends on stage and may include resection, transplant, ablation, embolization, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.

<strong>Liver transplantation</strong> is used for cirrhosis, HCC, and acute liver failure; MELD-Na guides allocation.

<strong>Alcohol-associated liver disease</strong> progresses from fatty liver to alcoholic hepatitis to cirrhosis. <strong>NAFLD/NASH</strong> is very common and linked to obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia; weight loss is key treatment. <strong>Hepatitis C</strong> is now highly curable with direct-acting antivirals. <strong>Hepatitis B</strong> is prevented by vaccine and treated with antivirals, though cure is uncommon.

<strong>Gallstones</strong> are common and can cause biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, or choledocholithiasis/cholangitis. <strong>Acute cholecystitis</strong> needs antibiotics and cholecystectomy. <strong>Choledocholithiasis</strong> is often treated with ERCP.

<strong>Pancreatitis</strong> may be acute or chronic. Acute pancreatitis is usually due to gallstones or alcohol and is treated supportively; gallstone pancreatitis needs stone removal. Chronic pancreatitis causes permanent damage, malabsorption, and diabetes.

<strong>Pancreatic cancer</strong> has a poor prognosis, with symptoms like painless jaundice and weight loss. Diagnosis uses imaging and biopsy; treatment is surgery and chemotherapy.

Keywords

Cirrhosis

Portal hypertension

Hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver transplantation

NAFLD/NASH

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C

Gallstones

Pancreatitis

Pancreatic cancer