What is "hepatology"

Hepatology \Hep`a*tol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. "h^par, "h`patos, the liver + -logy.] The science which treats of the liver; a treatise on the liver.

n. (context medicine English) The study or treatment of the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Hepatology is the branch of medicine that incorporates the study of liver, gallbladder, biliary tree, and pancreas as well as management of their disorders. Although traditionally considered a sub-specialty of gastroenterology, rapid expansion has led in some countries to doctors specializing solely on this area, who are called hepatologists.

Diseases and complications related to viral hepatitis and alcohol are the main reason for seeking specialist advice. More than 2 billion people have been infected with Hepatitis B virus at some point in their life, and approximately 350 million have become persistent carriers. Up to 80% of liver cancers can be attributed to either hepatitis B or Hepatitis C virus. In terms of mortality, the former is second only to smoking among known agents causing cancer. With more widespread implementation of vaccination and strict screening before blood transfusion, lower infection rates are expected in the future. In many countries, though, overall alcohol consumption is increasing, and consequently the number of people with cirrhosis and other related complications is commensurately increasing.

Hepatology is a peer-reviewed medical journal of hepatology. It is published monthly by John Wiley & Sons on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. The journal was established in 1981 and the editor-in-chief is Michael H. Nathanson ( Yale University).