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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Hepatitis C Survivor On Interferon Vomiting Blood. MRI Showing Nodules On The Liver. Cancer?

Hi My sister was rushed to the ER vomiting blood and melena. She is a 30 yr Hep C survivor without interferon . She decided to go the holistic route. MRI yesterday indicated nodules on her liver without concern for mets. She is scheduled for liver biopsy of nodules tomorrow. How concerning is this for liver cancer? She is presently asymptomatic from original ER symptoms. Also having CT scan tomorrow. Thanks
Thu, 31 Jan 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,
HCV induces chronic infection in 50 to 80% of cases.In rare cases infection can clear without treatment.
Most of the infected cases show minimal or no symptoms during the initial few decades of infection.
About 10 to 30 % of cases develop liver cirrhosis over 30 years of infection and those who develop cirrhosis have 20 times chances of developing liver cancer and this becomes 100 times more if a person drinks alcohol.

Since your sister is suffering from hepatitis C for past 30 years and has not taken any treatment,the chances of hepatocellular carcinoma are very high.This can however be confirmed only by liver biopsy.
Thanks
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Hepatitis C Survivor On Interferon Vomiting Blood. MRI Showing Nodules On The Liver. Cancer?

Hello, HCV induces chronic infection in 50 to 80% of cases.In rare cases infection can clear without treatment. Most of the infected cases show minimal or no symptoms during the initial few decades of infection. About 10 to 30 % of cases develop liver cirrhosis over 30 years of infection and those who develop cirrhosis have 20 times chances of developing liver cancer and this becomes 100 times more if a person drinks alcohol. Since your sister is suffering from hepatitis C for past 30 years and has not taken any treatment,the chances of hepatocellular carcinoma are very high.This can however be confirmed only by liver biopsy. Thanks