The diagnostic term for a chronic disease of the liver characterized by the gradual destruction of liver cells is:

The chronic disease of the liver characterized by the gradual destruction of liver cells is cirrhosis.

The chronic liver disease is the disease of the liver which lasts more than six months which includes the process of progressive destruction and regeneration of the liver parenchyma. This leads to fibrosis (production of fibrous connective tissue as a process of reparation) and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a condition of dysfunction of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions like hepatitis and chronic alcoholism. The damage caused by cirrhosis is characterized by the replacement of normal liver tissue by scar tissue (fibrous connective tissue).