Just found out 2 weeks ago for hep c

[strangerbynight]

Hi everyone, i just found out 2 weeks ago for hep c pos, i am so sad and worry now, i think i got this in 1981 from blood and plasma transfussion back in vietnam when i was only 9 years old (36 years ago), i think i might have a symptoms like rashes, very ichy sometimes,  i live in canada and i was told my hepatologis appointment is in september 2, this is killing me to wait that long, i dont know if any damage to my liver yet, i am feeling healthy most of the time, i work out since last year, used to drank lots of beer on weekend but stop a year ago, only once awhile now, i have anxiety about five years ago till now so i cant really handle things like this very well, i have been reading alots about hep c,i just went to get a third blood test again by another doctor because my other 2 test was done by a walk in clinic and they told me i need to go to my family doctor so they can keep track of my situation. The first test only show elevated liver, second test confirm hep c, now third test from family doctor to confirm one more time..anyways this forum does give me alot of comfort..

[lporterrn]

Welcome to the Forum. At first it can be tough news to deal with, but the treatment is easy for my people, and cures most people. Feel free to ask questions and get support here.

[gnatcatcher]

strangerbynight, welcome. I had hep c for nearly 44 years by the time I was treated; I'm cured, and my liver is doing very well. So, although it is emotionally stressful to wait to see the hepatologist, now that your regular doctor has the results of the three tests, it's safe to wait.

Get copies of all test results. If your doctor does not give you clear explanations of what the results mean, we can help you understand them.

Gnatty

[strangerbynight]

Thanks, i will be seeing my doctor this friday for a third test to see if i can find out my vitaload and what stage of my liver is in..and what genotype, can i find that out only though blood test? I saw he check mark alot of boxes that need to be test for, should i ask him to send me for an ultrasound ?

[lporterrn]

The test results should tell if an ultrasound is indicated. It certainly won't hurt to ask the doc if you need one.

[gnatcatcher]

Yes, the viral load and genotype are found out via a blood test. Some of the other check marks are probably blood tests for liver enzymes such as ALT and AST.

The genotype determines which of the available treatments will work; the viral load and liver enzyme results will help your doctor decide whether you need an ultrasound. If you've never had an ultrasound before, I find them very pleasant actually.

[strangerbynight]

So i went to my ex family doctor today and try to track down a blood test that i got it done in 2007 and was found at that time my ALT level was 114 and my AST was 50, the rest was all in the normal limit, i was wonder why he never ask me to go for a RNA test for hepatitis or another test after that at that time, all he told me was that i have a boderline cholesterol, so now i am sure that my hepatitis was infected in 1981 from blood transfusions. Good things that have i change another family doctor awhile ago..seems like he does not care about his patients..

[Lynn K]

He may have assumed the elevated liver enzymes were due to having some fatty deposits in the liver that can also cause mild elevations in liver enzymes.

[strangerbynight]

So i went to my doctor today for the third blood test result, everything is good except my ALT was 196 and my AST is 96, so 10 years ago my ALT was 114 and my AST was 50, is this a bad sign for 10 years? My doctor told me i cant get yhe genotype, viraload, or what stage. I am at until i will see my hepatologist in septem, but he said he will send me to ultrasound to check for tumor or cancer, i am getting scare as hell now.

[Lynn K]

Liver enzyme tests don't really mean much there is no relation between liver enzymes and liver damage. People can have very high enzymes like over 500 or even 1000 and have no liver damage. While others can have normal or near normal liver enzymes and have lots of damage. While I was infected my ALT was 74 and my AST was 51 had been similar the whole time I was infected. But yet after I had been infected for 30 years I was diagnosed with cirrhosis. Also even though I have had cirrhosis for over 9 years now since I am cured of hep c my liver enzyme tests are now in normal range.

[elias]

My doctor told me i cant get yhe genotype, viraload, or what stage. I am at until i will see my hepatologist in septem, but he said he will send me to ultrasound to check for tumor or cancer, i am getting scare as hell now.

Hi:

If its the referral to the ultrasound as above is what got you scared, you should know that this is standard diagnostic procedure for those diagnosed with HCV. And insurance will require it once the drug is prescribed. That ultrasound wont tell the genotype or fibrosis level, so maybe thats why he phrased it in terms of tumors etc. I've seen others here panic about this as well, but it is a routine test

I've had elevated ALT and AST much of my life which was dismissed because they'd often revert back to almost normal range. Last I was tested for fibrosis (Spet. 2016) I was not cirrhotic. So many do go around with such elevations for decades and can remain pre-cirrhotic

[gnatcatcher]

strangerbynight, the rise in your ALT and AST is very gradual for 10 years. During the years that I was waiting for a treatment that I could safely take, my ALT and AST rose much faster than that. I was concerned, but my regular doctor told me he wouldn't even begin to worry unless they exceeded five times normal. You can see below that they were at 262 and 217 before I started Harvoni. Harvoni cured me, my ALT and AST returned to normal during treatment, and my liver has been healing so well that my FibroScan kPa score has improved from 19.5 to 9.4.

All your genotype does is tell the hepatologist which treatments will work. Viral loads jump around a lot (for example, mine had gone from over 7.6 million to only half a million before it rose to the pre-treatment almost 9.5 million). Maybe that's why your regular doctor wants to wait to let the specialist run those tests.

Your ultrasound is an extra measure of safety -- all my pre-treatment ultrasounds were fine, despite ALTs as high as 299 and ASTs as high as 242 (they jumped around, too, because they can be affected by all sorts of things besides hep C). Chances are that your ultrasound will be fine, but if not, that would be reason for your doctor to urge the hepatologist to squeeze you in sooner.

Yes, the waiting is hard. I hope your reading about my worse case but successful outcome helps. While you wait to see the hepatologist, please spend your free time doing the things that you love to do -- the days will pass faster that way, and you won't have missed out on LIVING while you wait.

Best wishes,

Gnatty

[strangerbynight]

What scare me most is that i know i have this virus for 36 years in my liver, i dont what kind of damge so far, i my biggest fear is cancer, my doctor told me that he wants me to go for ultrasound and if theres anything that look abnormal he will send me to MRI scan, thats all he can do now is just monitor me while i wait for my appointment in september..other than all the worries i am feeling physically fine beside the itch i have to deal with every other day random spot here and there, i still go on treadmill every morning and steam and swim at evening. Sorry English is not my native.

[Lynn K]

There are many here who have had hepatitis c for as long as you have and they have no liver damage.

Hoping you will receive good news

[figuringitout]

My fiancee just found out he is hep c pos . his viral load is 2 million and something. His HCV RNA lot 10 6.42 . no specialist, no biopsy yet. So what do these number mean?
The nurse ra. Tests because his liver funtion was off,
He also has a hard time gaining weight.
We are hoping he can get treatment and get cured. But from
What's have read it depends on numbers and gyno type. I would really appreciate someone who could translate these numbers into English for me. Thank you so much

[Lynn K]

Hi figuring and welcome.

The numbers you are seeing are both the same number expressed on different scales. On our regular numeric scale that you are familiar with his viral load which is the number of copies of the hep c virus per mL of blood is 2 million and the other number 6.42 log 10 which is read as log base ten is the same number expressed on a different number scale called the  logarithmic scale. But the number is the same just expressed on different scales.

Viral load has no relationship to severity of illness or difficulty to treat. We have many here who had much higher viral loads as well as much lower. Plus viral loads can vary all the time.

Most of us with hep c have slightly elevated liver enzyme tests. The specific tests are called ALT (alanine transaminase) and AST (aspartate transaminase). He should ask for copies of his test so he will have more information about what his results are. My doctor uses a website where I can see my results called MyChart his doctor may have something similar.

He may not need a liver biopsy depending on his doctors observations and his test results. Also there are other tests that can be done instead of a biopsy. One is called Fibroscan it uses a machine similar to an ultrasound to determine liver stiffness. There is also a blood test called a Fibrosure which can also estimate liver stiffness.

His doctor may also have him get an abdominal ultrasound to look at his liver that way.

You are correct the best course of treatment, which medicine, will be determined by which genotype of hep c he has would be something like 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b etc... kind of like the different flu strains you have probably heard of just not as interesting names. That will probably be his next blood test.

Hope that helps good luck to you both

[Mugwump]

My fiancee just found out he is hep c pos . his viral load is 2 million and something. His HCV RNA lot 10 6.42 . no specialist, no biopsy yet. So what do these number mean?
The nurse ra. Tests because his liver funtion was off,
He also has a hard time gaining weight.
We are hoping he can get treatment and get cured. But from
What's have read it depends on numbers and gyno type. I would really appreciate someone who could translate these numbers into English for me. Thank you so much

Your post brought me back to the day when my infection was confirmed and the way my wife responded to the news. I know exactly how your fiancée feels and the fact that he had the courage to tell you immediately speaks volumes about his character.
What is more important than anything else is to monitor liver functions until he can receive treatment. The standard is to carefully rule out any other causes of liver dysfunction after a diagnosis of active HCV infection if the person is having other issues at the same time. This is usually done with a full abdominal ultrasound. So do not be alarmed if his regular doctor calls for exams that seem to have nothing to do with HCV.

The next step is to ascertain which specific strain of HCV has infected him and determine the levels of liver damage that may or may not have occurred.

It is common for those with HCV to have no signs of liver damage but still have an active HCV infection. This is because the disease waxes and wanes depending upon how well the immune system is coping with it at any particular time.

All of these facts should be explained by your doctor to both of you and I strongly encourage you to both see the physician at the same time. I did this with my wife for all my key appointments especially when we discussed the treatment options. The fears that this disease can bring to couples can ruin relationships, please do not let it affect yours.

All the best finding your way to a future together without HCV.

Eric

 

[strangerbynight]

Hi everyone, i just came back from my doctor for ultrasound result and its not good, my doctor told me that the ultrasound picknup something and its the right hepatic focal lesions , i dont know what is that mean, he said now they reccomend me to do a ct scan to rule it out that its not tumor or cancer, am so worry now, i am just wondering how acurate is ultrasound with liver tumor or cancer? Is this commonat all? My anxiety is up high now, i hope its not something serious. Now i have to wait who knows how long fir ct scan, was told few weeks..any input will be great..thanks

[Gaj]

As this was your first U/S it isn't unusual to find something that requires further investigation.

Ultrasounds are useful for initial screening, they are relatively quick and inexpensive and are accurate enough to pick up any potential problems which is why they are the first test used.....but all they can determine is that there is some sort of lesion (unusual mark) present. They aren't accurate enough to tell if what was discovered is serious or something benign. So when a lesion is found during an U/S it will require further scans (usually CT but sometimes MRI) to determine what it is. In many (most) cases it will just be a harmless cyst of some type, scarring from previous damage or even regrowth nodule(s) as your liver tries to repair itself from the HCV.

Please try not to worry too much about this while you wait for your CT scan as there are many causes of focal lesions and as noted previously, in most cases they do not require further action as noted in the below link:

"Many of these conditions are asymptomatic and have few or no long-term health consequences"

https://www.reference.com/health/liver-lesions-ct-scan-mean-90846aced778faae

[strangerbynight]

Thank you so much for calm me down, its just me, my anxiety did not help me at all but i will try to be calm and see how the ct scan gonna be, its the waitting time that kill me..bit it seems that one things lead to another, i only started out with a simple bloat stomach and thats where all the blood test begin..i am physiclly well, i excercise every morning and swim in the evening, fews really good after excercise only emotionally at night when about to sleep..but i do apriciated all your support

[strangerbynight]

So i got the report and what concern me was that hypoechoic focal lesion measure 1.3 with peripherals vascular flow, is that a bad sign for a lesion find?

[Lynn K]

Lesions are not uncommon you should discuss this with your doctor to see is you will need additional testing to better diagnosis if this finding is significant or not

[strangerbynight]

I have an appointment for CT scan on april 7 to do further investigate also i have spoke to 2 doctor and was told that the ultralsound suspect i have a cancer..i am so scare again now..i have anxiety every day for the last 2 months since this o deal

[lporterrn]

I am so sorry. Of course you are anxious - it is part of being human. I hope for you that you find moments of relief, hope, comfort and peace as you face this. We have cancer survivors in our community, including blogger Karen Hoyt. She is now living a wonderful, healthy life with a new liver. She ran a marathon and published a book recently. Check her out: https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/karen-hoyt

[strangerbynight]

So i am curious if it is a HCC is it cureable in early stage find? Anyone here experience with HCC and got it cure completely? Thanks

[Lynn K]

HCC  is hepatocellular carcinoma also known as liver cancer.

It depends if the liver cancer is a primary cancer or secondary cancer as a primary cancer sometimes they can remove the cancerous tumors from the liver or if necessary a complete liver transplant will be required.

Have you been diagnosed with HCC? I would assume if you have then you must be under the care of a hepatologist associated with a liver transplant center. They would be best equipped to monitor a patient with HCC and provide you with information about your prognosis. Do you know your MELD score and have you been given any exception points to raise your score due to HCC?

If you meant to ask if hepatitis C is curable about 98% or better of patients are being cured with the new treatments that are available

[strangerbynight]

No i was not hcc, all i know is that they have found a hypoechoic focal lesion and measure 1.3 cm, now i am waitting for ct scan on april 7 to find out what is that lesion is, because i they said the ultrasound is not clear but only said its a solid things..is hcc common find on hep c patient? I belicmve i have it 36 years from blood transfussion

[Lynn K]

HCC is not common for those with only hep c. If you have F4 fibrosis also called liver cirrhosis then yes those with cirrhosis are at about a 5% risk every year of developing HCC. Have you been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis?

Focal liver lesions are not uncommon and most often benign.

[strangerbynight]

They havent test me for cirrhosis yet, so far only ultrasound scan, blood work, what really scare me was that its said found on the right lobe segment 8 of the liver, 1.3 cm hypoechoic focal lesion with vascular flow around it, so the scarry things is that a lesion with blood flow around it, isnt only tumor or cancer will have its own blood vessels supply? Thats what freak me out..i am just trying play out the worst scenario what if..i have no symtoms of anything really, i feel healthy, just suffer anxiety really bad..

[Lynn K]

Like I said the majority of focal lesions are benign. Try instead to consider the best case that is probably nothing significant especially as that is the most likely scenario.

I make it a rule not to borrow trouble from a tomorrow that may never come.

"Worry never robs tomorrow of it's sorrow, it only saps today of it's joy"

[Gaj]

Hi strangerbynight,

Vascular flow is often associated with lesions so is not unexpected in your case but u/s cannot determine the direction or source of flow which are the indicators of a benign lesion or something that requires action, that is why your doctor has scheduled a CT to investigate further.

I have fairly advanced cirrhosis along with highly active HCV inflammation of my liver which has lead to a number of lesions being discovered on scans over the last few years. Most have been benign turning out to be cysts or regrowth nodules but on investigation two in the last 24 months turned out to be HCC occurrences as per my signature. Both were successfully removed. The first was about 1.2cm and required resection of segment five of my liver and the second was found 5 months later, it was 1.5cm and was RF ablated. I just had my latest CT last week at 18 months since the ablation and all still clear. My specialist tells me he does not forsee any more problems assuming my latest HCV treatment is successful although I need to continue 3 monthly scans for another 6 months at which stage he will drop them back to the standard 6 monthly monitoring that anyone with cirrhosis requires.

While liver cancer used to be thought of as a problematic disease, medical knowledge and skills have advanced considerably in the last few years and small/early HCC are being very successfully and completely treated in a number of minimally invasive ways such as ablation or resection without the need to resort to transplants.

But as Lynne says, most focal lesions turn out to be benign so please try not to worry too much about yours while waiting for your CT results.

[strangerbynight]

Hi strangerbynight
Vascular flow is often associated with lesions so is not unexpected in your case but u/s cannot determine the direction or source of flow which are the indicators of a benign lesion or something that requires action, that is why your doctor has scheduled a CT to investigate further.

I have fairly advanced cirrhosis along with highly active HCV inflammation of my liver which has lead to a number of lesions being discovered on scans over the last few years. Most have been benign turning out to be cysts or regrowth nodules but on investigation two in the last 24 months turned out to be HCC occurrences as per my signature. Both were successfully removed. The first was about 1.2cm and required resection of segment five of my liver and the second was found 5 months later, it was 1.5cm and was RF ablated. I just had my latest CT last week at 18 months since the ablation and all still clear. My specialist tells me he does not forsee any more problems assuming my latest HCV treatment is successful although I need to continue 3 monthly scans for another 6 months at which stage he will drop them back to the standard 6 monthly monitoring that anyone with cirrhosis requires.

While liver cancer used to be thought of as a problematic disease, medical knowledge and skills have advanced considerably in the last few years and small/early HCC are being very successfully and completely treated in a number of minimally invasive ways such as ablation or resection without the need to resort to transplants.

But as Lynne says, most focal lesions turn out to be benign so please try not to worry too much about yours while waiting for your CT results.

Thanks, i have been trying very hard try not to think too much negative, my poor wife has been very patients with me for the pass 2 months..but i really appreciated your input..thanks

[strangerbynight]

Like I said the majority of focal lesions are benign. Try instead to consider the best case that is probably nothing significant especially as that is the most likely scenario.

I make it a rule not to borrow trouble from a tomorrow that may never come.

"Worry never robs tomorrow of it's sorrow, it only saps today of it's joy"

Thanks Lynn..

[strangerbynight]

I think my problem from start was i google this "hypoechoic focal lesion" and it took me to all the words solids, malignancy, hcc..ect..i have been google too much and read too much about ultrasound and paranoid...anyways i will have a ct on friday and result on wednesdays next week..thanks to all you guys, makes me feel less anxiety now..

Can i post a picture on here? If so how? I want to upload the actual letter of the ultrasound result..thanks

[Gaj]

"Dr Google" can be useful but often leads us to believe that worst case scenarios apply to us and in this fast moving area is also frequently out of date regarding the current science. Your doctor will have real information about your particular situation next Wednesday so try to relax for now.

"my poor wife has been very patients with me for the pass 2 months"

I think this is one of the hardest parts. Our loved ones do a magnificent job of comforting us and putting up with our moods and behaviour in this situation yet they will be consumed with worry themselves. Please make sure to show her how much you appreciate her support. 

[Lynn K]

Thanks Gaj for chiming in nothing better than the voice of experience

[strangerbynight]

Here are full report of my ultrasound.
I am not too worry about the left lobe.
My main concern here is my right liver lobe with 1.3 cm hyphoeoic focal lesion..also my doctor are concern too

ABDOMINAL SONOGRAM

Within segment two of the left lobe of the liver, there is echogenic focus seen measuring approximately 1.3 cmin size that may represent hermangioma?. At the hepatic dome in segment 8, there is a hypoechoic focal lesion measuring 1.3 cm in size. This show some peripheral vascular flow. It was difficult to visualize due to its high location and the sonographic appearance is atypical for a cyst.The main portal vein is seen patent
There are several tiny gallbladder polyps seen measuring up to 5mm in size. No definite shadowings tones are identified. No bile duct dilatation is seen. Common bile duct measures 2mm in caliber  both kidneys are within average size and normal echogenicity with no stone or hydronephrosis seen. 1.5 cm cyst with thin septation is noted in the lower pole of the right kidney. Other tiny cotical cysts are seen bialerally. The spleen is not enlarge. No abdominalaortic aneuysm or ascites seen


Impression
1. A couple of hepatic focal leasions are noted. The lesion on the left hepatic lobe may represent hermangioma. A hypoechoic focus is seen in the right lobe. Further characterization with MIR or CT SCAN of the liver is recommended
2. Gallbladder polyps measring up to 5mm in size.


Thats was my full report..please give some input..thanks

[Lynn K]

"A liver hemangioma (he-man-jee-O-muh) is a noncancerous (benign) mass in the liver."

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-hemangioma/home/ovc-20240211


"Gallbladder polyps are growths that protrude from the lining of the inside of the gallbladder. Polyps can be cancerous, but they rarely are. About 95 percent of gallbladder polyps are benign.

The size of a gallbladder polyp can help predict whether it's cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Small gallbladder polyps that are less than 1/2 inch — about 10 millimeters (mm) — in diameter are unlikely to be cancerous and generally don't require treatment."

http://www.mayoclinic.org/gallbladder-polyps/expert-answers/FAQ-20058450

Stop worrying so much is my suggestion you are fine

[strangerbynight]

"A liver hemangioma (he-man-jee-O-muh) is a noncancerous (benign) mass in the liver."

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-hemangioma/home/ovc-20240211


"Gallbladder polyps are growths that protrude from the lining of the inside of the gallbladder. Polyps can be cancerous, but they rarely are. About 95 percent of gallbladder polyps are benign.

The size of a gallbladder polyp can help predict whether it's cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Small gallbladder polyps that are less than 1/2 inch — about 10 millimeters (mm) — in diameter are unlikely to be cancerous and generally don't require treatment."

http://www.mayoclinic.org/gallbladder-polyps/expert-answers/FAQ-20058450

Stop worrying so much is my suggestion you are fine

Thanks..but my main concern i the right lobe..the one that they want to do a CT scan..the hyphoeoic focal lesion.

[Gaj]

I can understand how the report is causing you concern but please keep in mind that the radiographer is being professionally cautious and also looking to your best interests when writing it up. The reason for their caution is that its location means they couldn't see the upper right lobe lesion clearly enough to define it with accuracy given the number of possibilities (if you read closely you will see that they still haven't totally ruled out that it may just be a cyst). Given this situation, rather than attempt to guess what the lesion is they have described as much as they can about what they saw and recommended further investigation via CT scan.

I don't read anything immediately alarming within that report and the recommendations are what I would expect and want to see in these circumstances with the followup CT this week providing additional, more accurate information for you and your doctor.

PS "Portal vein patent" means blood flow appears normal, no blockages or flow changes.

[strangerbynight]

What really bug me was the words "Hypoechoic focal lesion" i search the ultrasound term of that words always related to a bad find like cancer, malignant, hcc, i know Hypoechoic focal lesion is only means the echo bounce back weaker. Something solid thanks for explained..i am going crazy with this report..its just me and i cant help it..i just want it over so ican move forward and get my treatment..i met up with nurse yesterday for a pretreatment, everything will be ready in may to start the medicine..in a way i am very excited too..cant wait to get myself cure..so i should not be alarming about the right lobe lesion?

[Lynn K]

https://www.reference.com/health/hyperechoic-lesion-liver-ca2506db470a21ff

"Among the most common cause of a hyperechoic liver lesion and one of the benign conditions is a hepatic hemangioma."

Again it is more likely to be a benign indication. Basically a hemanogiona is sort of like a bruise or similiar to a birthmark on the skin like the so called "port wine stain" birthmark that Gorbachev had

[strangerbynight]

https://www.reference.com/health/hyperechoic-lesion-liver-ca2506db470a21ff

Among the most common cause of a hyperechoic liver lesion and one of the benign conditions is a hepatic hemangioma.

I think this words Hypoechoic  are different from Hyperechoic..?

[Lynn K]

Yes ok google fail oops

Yes hypo means less or low and hyper means more or high

Ultrasound terms: Hyperechoic – more echogenic (brighter) than normal. Hypoechoic – less echogenic (darker) than normal.

So hypo would be less echoenic and reflect back darker

The term hypoechoic is used when describing how an object looks and behaves while being examined by the ultrasound technique. Hypoechoic literally means that it does not bounce back sound waves very well (does not echo the sound). This is a very non-specific finding that means that you have a mass which needs to be further looked at by either more detailed imaging (MRI or CT scan), or it needs a biopsy so the tissue can be looked at in more detail. Hypoechoic masses in the liver can be one of several things. Liver abscess which are collections of an infection can cause this. Certain liver tumors including the hepatic adenoma and tumors that have metastasized to the liver can cause this type of mass. While these are possibilities, there are many types of liver masses including the hepatic angiomas which are benign and are left alone. There are many different possibilities with different outcomes.

Do you have liver cirrhosis? If you do not have cirrhosis you are not at an increased risk of HCC.

[strangerbynight]

Yes ok google fail oops

Yes hypo means less or low and hyper means more or high

Ultrasound terms: Hyperechoic – more echogenic (brighter) than normal. Hypoechoic – less echogenic (darker) than normal.

So hypo would be less echoenic and reflect back darker

The term hypoechoic is used when describing how an object looks and behaves while being examined by the ultrasound technique. Hypoechoic literally means that it does not bounce back sound waves very well (does not echo the sound). This is a very non-specific finding that means that you have a mass which needs to be further looked at by either more detailed imaging (MRI or CT scan), or it needs a biopsy so the tissue can be looked at in more detail. Hypoechoic masses in the liver can be one of several things. Liver abscess which are collections of an infection can cause this. Certain liver tumors including the hepatic adenoma and tumors that have metastasized to the liver can cause this type of mass. While these are possibilities, there are many types of liver masses including the hepatic angiomas which are benign and are left alone. There are many different possibilities with different outcomes.

Do you have liver cirrhosis? If you do not have cirrhosis you are not at an increased risk of HCC.

So its sound not very favor for me, now all i can do is hope for the best..thanks Lyn

[Lynn K]

It does sound positive for you

"there are many types of liver masses including the hepatic angiomas which are benign and are left alone."

Also
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/410855_9

"A uniformly hyperechoic solid mass is usually a benign hemangioma"

Wait for the next test results.  Right now you're wasting energy worrying about something that may not happen and probably won't happen.  If it is bad news worry about it then not before.

[strangerbynight]

It does sound positive for you

"there are many types of liver masses including the hepatic angiomas which are benign and are left alone."

Also
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/410855_9

"A uniformly hyperechoic solid mass is usually a benign hemangioma"

Wait for the next test results.  Right now you're wasting energy worrying about something that may not happen and probably won't happen.  If it is bad news worry about it then not before.

Wrong link i think

"hyperechoic"

[Lynn K]

Sorry I keep missing that spelling difference but still there are many benign possibilities on the hypoecho type.

 Try not to worry until you have something to worry about.

[strangerbynight]

Sorry I keep missing that spelling difference but still there are many benign possibilities on the hypoecho type.

 Try not to worry until you have something to worry about.

Thanks Lynn, you dont know much i appreciate you..good night

[Lynn K]

Have you had an AFP blood test? That can be very elevated in liver cancer. Do you have cirrhosis or other reason to suspect you are at risk of HCC?

But anyway good night to you also and wishing you good results on your further testing.

[strangerbynight]

Have you had an AFP blood test? That can be very elevated in liver cancer. Do you have cirrhosis or other reason to suspect you are at risk of HCC?

[strangerbynight]

Have you had an AFP blood test? That can be very elevated in liver cancer. Do you have cirrhosis or other reason to suspect you are at risk of HCC?

Just did all the pretreatment yesterday with the nurse, i did ask for the AFP test, its their standard protocol to have that, test for viraload, genotype and so on, she told me that according to ultrasound i dont seems to have cirrhosis because they would states on the report, i am in canada so i dont know if that make any sense, mid may i will have fibroscan, beside being healthy i have zero symtoms of hep c really, only some itch spots here and there, i work out daily, swim at night, no fatigue, my nurse think i am in stage 2 which is f2 in u.s i think. But who knows, i had this hep c since 1981 so i dont know the damage, used to weekend drinker, smokers but stop 6 months ago..i dont see much how i get tumor or cancer, only things is i was diagnostic for h.pylori and was give the med for it 2 months ago, need to retest 6 months

[Lynn K]

I had hep c for 30 years before I was diagnosed with cirrhosis. I learned I had hep c after probably being infected for about 11 years and I was being followed closely having liver biopsies every 5 years.

But keep in mind only about 20% of patients infected for 20 years will develop cirrhosis most will not.

Also hep c is called a silent illness with the majority of people having no symptoms. Even cirrhosis has no symptoms in early stages. The year I was diagnosed with cirrhosis at 50 years old I went in a mountain hike with a hiking group easy rated but still hucking a back pack every day for a week.

Really no way to know if you are F0 or F4 without some sort of test either a liver biopsy, Fibroscan or Fibrosure blood test.

I can say that the first blood test I had that changed after I was diagnosed with cirrhosis was my platelet count. Minimun normal is 150 and my score was about 80 to 90 since treatment it has risen to 110 but still below normal.

Anyway if your platelet count is normal and the ultrasound didn't mention an enlarged spleen (which can be another symptom of cirrhosis and the reason for low platelets) I am betting you don't have cirrhosis. And if you don't have cirrhosis you are at much less risk for HCC. So while your ultrasound results should be further investigated the odds are in your favor statistically that it should be a benign condition. And even if it does turn out to be something more serious if small they should be able to remove whatever it is without needing to transplant. I know that is a scary possibility but you are not to that point yet.

It sounds like you are in good hands and your doctors are working hard to make sure you will be ok.

Hang in there you will have your answers soon.

[Gaj]

To add to Lynn's comments:

Hypoechoic is just the technical term and means weaker echoes than the surrounding area, hyper means stronger. All identified lesions will be either one or the other because different echo strength to the surrouding tissue is what causes them show up on the ultrasound. Please keep in mind that in both cases there are many more benign causes than ones to worry about.

The lack of evidence of cirrhosis in your ultrasound is good news. While an ultrasound isn't very helpful in measuring the actual level of cirrhosis it will usually pick up evidence of its presence. As your nurse stated the radiographer will comment if they find any such evidence. You will still need the fibroscan or equivalent to confirm your fibrosis levels but it seems unlikely that you have cirrhosis and that reduces the risk of HCC very considerably.

[strangerbynight]

Thanks to both of you for explained me, its just my nature that i over worry,  i hope things will turn out better like maybe an old scar tissue, benign, or something harmless..i am couting day by day..6 more days till the result...i will let you guys know

[strangerbynight]

I forgot to add one important things how i got hep c and why..
I was beaten by my dad with one kick to my chest and right after that blood just pouring out my mouth and nose, i was rush to emergency and thats when all the blood transfusion started, i was in and out of the hospital from 1981 to 1982..i am now just wondering could that lesion be my scar from that beating..i am just curious..i know back then i vommit lots of blood and bruises everywhere on my body that looks purple and blue..i was really really sick..

[Lynn K]

Wow so sorry to hear about the hard time you had. I am thinking if you had any liver injury it might be possible. Could be sort of an internal birth mark too. Just always been there maybe.

Let us know when you find out more information

[strangerbynight]

Wow so sorry to hear about the hard time you had. I am thinking if you had any liver injury it might be possible. Could be sort of an internal birth mark too. Just always been there maybe.

Let us know when you find out more information

I will for sure..

[strangerbynight]

Just came back from ct scan..wednesday is a big day..finger cross.

[Florida67]

well, here i am with the 60's once again catching up to me.  I am getting ready to start this treatment not to sure what to expect.

[Lynn K]

Hi Florida and welcome.

Which treatment will you be starting?

[strangerbynight]

So i just got a call from my nurse and she told me the ct scan result really good..no liver scarr too..i am so happy that i was about to cry..thanks for all the support guys, i should be on the treatment for my hep c the end of this month..

[gnatcatcher]

very glad to hear your good news.

[strangerbynight]

Thank you

[Lynn K]

Alright that is great news! Now on to being cured!

[strangerbynight]

Alright that is great news! Now on to being cured!

Thanks Lynn...you really helped me alot with my anxiety..

[Myke]

I just found out about 1 week ago that I have Hep C as well. A blood test was done a year ago, and I was never told I had the antibodies for Hep C until last week. Needless to say I am furious over this delay. Yesterday, I found out that I do have the virus after a quantitative RNA test and this showed a high viral load. I am absolutely depressed, and scared. I do not know the genotype yet. I am from Michigan, and will be seeing my doctor in a day or two. I do not know how long I have had this. I was addicted to heroin for most of my life, but spent a considerable amount of that time in prison. I was in a car accident in 81, and in 1982 had to have some blood given to me in the hospital. I did not share needles, ever. I am 62 years old, and do not have any symptoms to speak of. I have been on methadone since 2007 and will be detoxing off of that crap soon. I do not want to tax my liver any more than it is already being taxed. It just seems like I can't catch a break. I have slowed down on smoking cig's, and now have the patch. I am quitting the cig's as well. I started taking milk thistle today, and have been doing the Nutribullet thing for quite a while now, all organic ingredients. All the blood test numbers last year were within normal range with the exception of a very slightly elevated liver enzyme count, and WBC count. I am thoroughly petrified, scared, depressed, and hope I don't have severe liver problems. I want to start the med's for this, but need more blood work I suspect for the genotype I have. And the fact that my doctor never told me I had been exposed to Hep C when I had a blood screen done a year ago has me livid. I viral load right now is 6 million, and that scares me to no end. I need some assurance, or something going through this and after. Thanks much. I also do not know how to post this in its own thread instead of piggybacking on another person's post.

[Lynn K]

Hi Myke and welcome

Fortunately hep c is a very slowly acting virus so even those who were infected for many years have little to no liver damage. Only about 20% of those infected for 20 years will develop cirrhosis meaning 80% will not.

Unfortunately there was no test for donated blood before 1989 so that could be where you became infected with hep c. There are a significant number of people who cannot point to a specific source of infection.

But really when, where, or how you became infected is not really important. The only thing that matters is getting treated and cured.

Most people with hep c have little to no symptoms which is why it is called a silent illness. If a patient has symptoms it is not from hep c but from advancing liver disease for those that go down that path. The most common reported symptom of chronic hep c is tiredness but so hard to tell if you are overly tired or just getting older. 

Most people with hep c will have only slightly elevated liver enzymes same as you do.

I was likely infected in 1978. After 30 years of infection I was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in Jan 2008. I am still going strong and now that I am cured my prognosis is also improved. I am expected to live a normal life span and likely die from something other than liver disease.

Hang in there you will be OK. While there is a possibility you could have some liver damage it is more likely you do not.

You are making great positive healthy changes that is the best thing you can do for yourself so great job!

Wishing you all the best