Final answer:
Chronic active hepatitis leads to cirrhosis, which is the formation of fibrous tissue in the liver as a result of cell death from various causes such as viral infection or alcohol abuse.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chronic active hepatitis is a progressive destructive liver disease that eventually leads to cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is characterized by the formation of fibrous tissue in the liver, which replaces dead liver cells. The ongoing liver cell death can be attributed to a variety of causes, including viral hepatitis, which is an inflammation of the liver resulting from infection by viruses such as hepatitis B or C, as well as factors like excessive alcohol intake, autoimmunity, or hereditary conditions.
As cirrhosis advances, liver function progressively deteriorates, leading to complications and potential liver failure. Chronic liver failure due to cirrhosis may result from the accumulation of damage over time and is not directly associated with the formation of liver cysts, hepatoma (liver cancer), pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), or liver metastases (secondary liver cancers from other sites).