Autoimmune Liver Diseases Treatment Program 

The Mount Sinai Medical Center is highly regarded as a center for the treatment of liver diseases. It is the only hospital in New York with a division that treats only liver diseases. In addition, Mount Sinai has more hepatologists (liver specialists) on staff than any other hospital or medical center in New York City.

The Division of Liver Diseases at The Mount Sinai Medical Center is respected worldwide for innovative research and state-of-the-art treatment for all forms of liver disease, including autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

For years, our doctors have treated the largest number of patients in the New York Area with autoimmune liver diseases. As a result, we have extensive skill in managing these diseases, which develop from inappropriate immune system responses that cause damage to the body's own cells.

Autoimmune Liver Disease

Autoimmune liver diseases are typically chronic conditions. This means that patients may experience persistent immune system attacks that destroy liver cells. As cells die, scar tissue known as fibrosis forms. Fortunately, autoimmune diseases tend to progress slowly. Many patients experience long periods without symptoms.

When fibrosis does become extreme and liver function is weakened, the condition is called cirrhosis. Also known as liver failure or end-stage liver disease, the only successful cure for this condition is organ transplantation. However, many individuals with cirrhosis can have their symptoms successfully managed with medication and avoid the need for transplantation.

A large number of patients with autoimmune liver disease also have additional forms of autoimmunity. Liver specialists work closely with other experts at Mount Sinai to provide a comprehensive approach to treating multiple autoimmune conditions, thereby keeping immune system activity and symptoms under control.

Most patients with chronic autoimmune liver disease are managed successfully by Mount Sinai liver specialists and their colleagues in rheumatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, radiology, and pathology, using state of the art methods of diagnosis and treatment. However, when end-stage liver disease develops, liver transplantation may be required. Of note, those with cirrhosis due to autoimmune liver disease do particularly well after transplantation. Mount Sinai has had long experience in caring for hundreds of patients with autoimmune liver disease who have required liver transplantation after having lived many years with this chronic condition.

Liver Transplantation

The first liver transplant in New York State was performed at Mount Sinai in 1988. Many more quickly followed. Soon, Mount Sinai became known worldwide as an outstanding center for liver transplantation. Today, Mount Sinai's Recanati/Miller Transplantation Institute is a major global center for liver transplantation. Each year, the number of liver transplants performed on patients from around the world continues to rise. The excellence of patient outcomes at Mount Sinai has also risen, often despite the poor health of many recipients at the time of transplant.