Frequency of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis C receiving treatment with directly antiviral agents

Abstract

Background and Aims: Hepatitis C infection is one of leading causes of liver cirrhosis and a considerable proportion of hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Despite the very high efficacy of Directly Acting Viral Agents (DAAs) on clearance of hepatitis C their role remains controversial on development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. The Aim of this study is to analyze hepatocellular occurrence in hepatitis C patients after achieving Sustained virologic response on directly acting viral agent. Methods and Material: It is prospective study conducted on outpatients in the Hepato-gastroenterology department of Asian Institute of Medical Science Hospital Hyderabad from 21-10-2018 to 20-04-2019. All patients who fulfilled the criteria were enrolled, their baseline demographic characteristics, Child Pugh Class, MELD score, alpha-fetoprotein level and Ultrasound liver before and after treatment collected. Duration of DAAs treatment and type of DAAs used also noted. Hepatocellular carcinoma labelled when Triphasic CT scan liver shows typical characters of hepatocellular carcinoma i.e. arterial phase hyperenhancement and delayed washout on portal and venous phase or ultrasound liver shows focal liver lesion with alpha-fetoprotein level more than 300ng/ml. Results: One hundred fifty-seven patients of chronic hepatitis C enrolled in the study after exclusion criteria.