Abstract
Background
Due to advances in interferon (IFN) therapy for chronic hepatitis C, most elderly patients, and even many of those with advanced hepatic fibrosis, now achieve a sustained virological response (SVR). However, carcinogenesis remains problematic in these patients. Hence, we aimed to elucidate risk factors for hepatocarcinogenesis in SVR patients and to present an appropriate follow-up protocol for improving outcomes.
Methods
We retrospectively studied 562 consecutive SVR patients for a median observation period of 4.8 years.
Results
Hepatocellular carcinoma was diagnosed in 31 patients (5.5 %). Respective cumulative incidences were 3.1, 10.1, and 15.9 % at 5, 10, and 15 years after completion of IFN therapy. The proportional hazards model identified moderate or advanced fibrosis stage, advanced age, habitual alcohol consumption, and alpha-fetoprotein elevation as determinants of carcinogenesis, with hazard ratios of 10.7 (p < 0.001), 4.1 (p < 0.01), 3.9 (p < 0.01), and 2.6 (p < 0.05), respectively. Carcinoma was diagnosed in 26 % of patients more than 10 years after completion of IFN therapy. Unexpectedly, F2 fibrosis was detected in 42 % of these patients. The 5-year survival rate was 93 % in the patients who had received periodic cancer screening but only 60 % in those who had not.
Conclusion
We recommend that SVR patients be observed at 6-month intervals, at a minimum, to facilitate diagnosis at an early stage, for as long as possible after completion of therapy even if not at an advanced stage of fibrosis.
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Abbreviations
- HCV:
-
Hepatitis C virus
- HCC:
-
Hepatocellular carcinoma
- IFN:
-
Interferon
- ALT:
-
Alanine aminotransferase
- SVR:
-
Sustained virological response
- PEG-IFN:
-
Pegylated interferon
- CHC:
-
Chronic hepatitis C
- AFP:
-
Alpha-fetoprotein
- PIVKA-II:
-
Protein induced by vitamin K absence or vitamin K antagonist-II
- US:
-
Ultrasonography
- CT:
-
Computed tomography
- MR:
-
Magnetic resonance imaging
- γGTP:
-
γGlutamyl transpeptidase
- HBV:
-
Hepatitis B virus
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Yamashita, N., Ohho, A., Yamasaki, A. et al. Hepatocarcinogenesis in chronic hepatitis C patients achieving a sustained virological response to interferon: significance of lifelong periodic cancer screening for improving outcomes. J Gastroenterol 49, 1504–1513 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-013-0921-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-013-0921-z