Etiological treatment is based upon: abstinence in case of alcoholic cirrhosis; alpha-interferon in case of B or C viral cirrhosis; corticosteroids in case of autoimmune cirrhosis; ursodeoxycholic acid in case of primary biliary cirrhosis; stopping the drug in case of drug-induced cirrhosis; surgery in case of secondary biliary cirrhosis; venesections in case of genetic haemochromatosis; liver transplantation in cases of Wilson's disease and alpha 1-anti-trypsin deficiency. Overall, these treatment are more effective when undertaken early in the course of the liver disease.