The reddish-brown wedge-shaped liver is in the upper right-hand part of the abdomen. It lies on top of your stomach, right kidney and intestines. It weighs about three pounds and holds about one pint of blood. Two blood vessels supply the liver with oxygen and nutrient-rich blood. The liver has two sections, each made up of small lobes connected to ducts. These ducts transport bile to the gallbladder and the upper part of the small intestine.

The number of diagnostic methods and treatment options for liver disease at all stages has increased dramatically over the last few years. But early diagnosis gives patients the best chance at a good outcome and the opportunity to explore more treatment options.

Below we list brief descriptions of some of the most common liver conditions and diseases. For more detailed information about these diseases and disorders, we recommend you contact or visit some of the nationally recognized liver web sites in our resources section.

Acute Liver Failure. When a large portion of the liver becomes damaged and cannot function effectively, this is called acute liver failure. This serious condition can be the result of hepatitis, cirrhosis, alchohol/drug abuse or certain medications.

Alcoholic liver disease. As many as ten percent of all American men and three percent of all American women may have health problems related to alcohol abuse. Alcohol affects many of your body's organs, but one of the most commonly affected is the liver. Alcohol abuse can lead to three main types of liver problems: fatty liver (steatosis), hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Fatty liver involves the accumulation of fat within the liver cells. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Alcoholic hepatitis can include severe liver dysfunction with complications. Cirrhosis involves a widespread presence of nodules in the liver that leave nonfunctioning scar tissue. Cirrhosis can lead to end-stage liver disease.

Autoimmune hepatitis. In some cases, no obvious reason is found for chronic hepatitis. A person's immune system seems to be overactive. About 70 percent of these cases are in women. The condition may lead to advanced cirrhosis.

Cancer of the liver.Tumors in the liver may be cancerous or non-cancerous. Primary liver cancers originate in the liver. They include hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, hepatoblastoma, angiosarcoma, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, multiple or massive hepatic adenoma and hepatoma, which begins in the liver cells. Metastatic liver cancers develop when cancer cells from other parts of the body, such as lung cancer or breast cancer, spread to the liver. Metastatic cancers are not usually treated by liver transplantation but there are a few exceptions. Patients who have chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis are much more likely to develop hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of primary liver cancer.

Cholestatic liver disorders. Cholestasis is a reduction or stoppage of bile flow. Causes can include liver or pancreatic cancer, hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, cirrhosis or bile duct stones.

Cirrhosis. This term refers to a group of chronic liver diseases in which normal liver cells become damaged and are replaced by scar tissue. This decreases the amount of normal liver tissue available, so your liver works less efficiently. As scar tissue increases, your liver loses its ability to function.

Fatty liver. This is not a disease but a description of a liver in which too many fat cells have accumulated. It's most common in people who are overweight or who have diabetes. These excess fat cells can cause your liver to become inflamed, and in some cases, to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Hemochromatosis and other metabolic disorders. Hemochromatosis is a common genetic condition that causes the body to absorb too much iron. Untreated, it can lead to liver disease. Other metabolic disorders also include:Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, Wilson's disease, galactosemia, tyrosinemia, and glycogen storage diseases.

Hepatitis. There are several forms of hepatitis, which is an inflammation of the liver caused by one of several viruses, toxic agents or autoimmune disorders. If the condition lasts more than six months, it is called chronic hepatitis.

Hepatitis A is usually spread through dirty food and water. It can make you feel as if you have the flu and may cause jaundice. Most people recover quickly from hepatitis A.

Chronic viral hepatitis B is a serious disease that can progress to cirrhosis and sometimes liver cancer. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which can be transmitted through blood and genital fluids, for instance, by sharing infected needles and through sex. There is an effective vaccine for hepatitis B.

Chronic viral hepatitis C is a serious and common disorder that also can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and is spread mainly through blood. Risk factors include use of IV drugs, history of blood transfusions, hemodialysis and working in healthcare or emergency services. There is no vaccine.

Primary biliary cirrhosis.This chronic disease slowly destroys the bile ducts in the liver. It is ten times more common in women than in men and is usually diagnosed in people between 30 and 60 years of age. Many patients have no symptoms and discover they have this condition when routine liver blood tests show an abnormality.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a disease in which the bile ducts inside and outside of the liver become narrowed due to inflammation and scarring. This causes bile to accumulate in the liver, which can damage liver cells. The exact cause of PSC is unknown, but genetics and the body's immune system may both play a role. It is more common in men than women, and usually surfaces in a person's 30s, 40s or 50s. It may be years before symptoms develop; symptoms can include fatigue, itching and jaundice. The course of the disease is slowly progressive. Liver failure may occur after seven to 15 years of the disease. There is currently no specific treatment for PSC. Treatment can include medications to control itching and infections, and vitamin supplements to correct deficiencies. In some cases endoscopic, radiologic or surgical techniques are used to open major blockages in common bile duct to improve bile flow. When progressive liver failure occurs in spite of these measures, liver transplantation may be necessary.

Sarcoidosis.The cause of this disease is unknown. It causes nests of cells to appear in the liver, lungs and lymph nodes and affects African-Americans more than other ethnic groups.