The liver is one of the most complicated organs in the human body. Unlike the heart or the kidney, it can not be augmented or replicated with a device or machine. Liver diseases among the fastest growing causes of illness in the United States.

At least 4 million Americans, 1.8% of the population, are infected with Hepatitis C and the vast majority will develop chronic hepatitis. Hepatitis B chronically infects approximately 400,000 Americans and can lead to liver inflammation, scarring and cancer even in young adults.

As obesity levels in this country rise, cases of fatty liver disease are also becoming increasingly common. Genetic liver disease and drug or alcohol induced liver diseases are contributing to the large number of people with liver disease as well.

Mount Sinai physicians bring vast experience and the most advanced diagnostic tools to evaluation of patients with liver diseases. Once the cause is determined liver specialists work with physicians and surgeons from a wide array of specialties to tailor a treatment plan to the needs of the patient.

Our goal in treatment is to stop or slow the progress of disease so that patients can continue to lead active lives and, hopefully, never need a liver transplant. For those for whom this is not possible and transplantation becomes necessary, our physicians work closely with the surgeons of Mount Sinai’s renowned Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute.