Light micrograph through liver tissue showing hepatic cirrhosis. Also known as liver cirrhosis, this disease refers to the impaired function and damage of the liver caused by the formation of scar tissue known as fibrosis. There are many causes of cirrhosis including alcohol, fat, certain medications, viruses and toxic metals that can accumulated in the liver. Furthermore, there is an added possibility of an autoimmune disease of the liver in which the body's immune system attacks the liver.