Even with treatment, people rarely survive beyond 5 years. Surgery is the only chance for a cure, but usually the cancer has progressed too far by the time surgery is performed. Liver transplantation may also be considered. Researchers are studying various experimental treatments, such as chemoembolization, alcohol ablation, cryoablation, immunotherapy, and gene therapy. Your recovery depends on the type of cirrhosis you have and if you stop drinking.
Liver transplantation remains the best treatment, but livers are available for very few people.
Hepatitis B immunizations are available to health care workers and others at high risk of contacting the disease. Immunization of all American children against hepatitis B, now required, will reduce the incidence of cirrhosis in the future. No effective hepatitis C vaccination is available. You must be hospitalized for further work-up and treatment if you are diagnosed with cirrhosis after having a major complication. Your blood still has the ability to form clots adequately.