What stage of liver damage for risk of cancer?

[strangerbynight]

So what stage of the liver damage to have a risk for cancer? Is it only for F4 with cirrhosis or could it be any stage?

[Lynn K]

Primarily F4 cirrhosis but I am guessing maybe F3 being near cirrhosis could have a slightly increased risk.

[strangerbynight]

Primarily F4 cirrhosis but I am guessing maybe F3 being near cirrhosis could have a slightly increased risk.

Thanks Lynn, i remember i saw an artical from one of the forum and someone said you can be at any stage to have a risk of hcc,

[Lynn K]

I tend to doubt that.

What about F1 for example. I would think their risk is the same as anyone on the street the real risk is for those with cirrhosis where the risk is about 20% any given year. So if I have 4 friends with cirrhosis one of us will develop HCC in a year. This is assuming no cure of hep c. After cure HCC risk even for those like me with cirrhosis is diminished.

[Gaj]

There has been a lot of discussion of HCC over the last year which has unfortunately caused concern for many with HCV who are not actually in the high risk group. Those with cirrhosis should be aware that it is the cirrhosis that is the main driver of HCC which is why it is important for those with high fibrosis levels (high F3 to F4) to continue regular annual or biannual checks including U/S or CT scans after SVR. However, for those with lower levels of fibrosis the risk is more in line with the general population and very low, but if you have concerns you should discuss these with your doctor or specialist. Here is some information on HCC in relation to causative disease from The Oncologist.

"The primary risk factor for developing HCC is cirrhosis, the major causes of which are HBV and HCV infection. Indeed, there is evidence to show that 50% of all cases of HCC worldwide are associated with HBV infection, with a further 25% associated with HCV [12]. The annual incidence rates of HCC in patients with cirrhosis according to individual underlying disease are shown in Table 1."

http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/content/15/suppl_4/14.full

And a link to Table 1 from above which shows the annual risk by causative disease.

http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/content/15/suppl_4/14/T1.large.jpg

[Lynn K]

I like the 1-8 % better than the 20% I had  previously heard.

Wish there was more data for people with cirrhosis who have  cured their hepatitis c what those odds are like

[strangerbynight]

So then in my case i should good ? My fribroscan is 6.2 kpa with medium probe used so its rated on the chart F0-1, i heard that theres a link with DAA cuases hcc during and after treatment thats why i am very concern because i am starting my generics harvoni next week and also 4 months ago i got an ultralsound of my lever and they found 1 hemahemangioma and the second one they think its a small cyst, the treaments is near and my axiety flares up again and i am worry as hell.

[Lynn K]

The link is unclear if it actually exists and in any event those who are related to this risk are those with cirrhosis who previously had liver cancer.

So this still unproven risk does not apply to you.

Cysts are generally benign  and hepatic hemangioma is a noncancerous tumor in the liver that's made up of a tangle of blood vessels. Liver hemangiomas typically don't cause symptoms or require any treatment. They're usually found during a test or procedure for a different condition.

[sapphire101]

With or without cirrhosis our risk for liver cancer decreases by eliminating Hep C!
No cirrhosis and no Hep C = back to the same risk as the general population.

#gratitude