Re: Liver biopsy results

Posted By R.J. on August 29, 1998 at 21:14:59:

In Reply to: Liver biopsy results posted by R.J. on August 28, 1998 at 18:38:18:






Myliver biopsy report indicated as follows:Multiple levels are of cylindrical fragments of hepatic parenchyma. The portal tracts show focal mild expansion with focal portal and periportal fibrosis noted on trichrome stain. Portal inflammatory cell infiltrates are present consisting predominantly of lympocytes with scattered lymphoid aggregates noted, as well as a few scattered plasma cells, eosinophils and rare neutrophils. Many of the portal tracts show areas of piecemeal necrosis/interface hepatitis. The lobules show a few foci of spotty necrosis. The bile ducts appear unremarkable. No PAS positive globules are identified. Focal trace iron deposition is identified within a fewq hepatocytes on a Perl`s stain. No steatosis, granulomas or neoplasia is identified. A recent medical paper I read on the Hepatitis Page by Doctor Levine stated that patients with mild hepatitis [stage 1, Phase 1] who have the infection for 10-20 years will probably never develop chirrosis (cirrhosis) and probably can safely postpone treatment until more effective treatments become available. Does my biopsy indicate mild hepatitis? What stage and phase would my biopsy indicate? On a scale of 1-10 how would you characterize my liver disease? Would you also comment on reports out of Penn State University of amantadine being sucessful in  treating Hepatitis-C? I am certain I contracted Hepatitis-C 20 to 25 years ago and if my liver is not significantly damaged by now do you agree with Doctor Levines paper stating that i,ll probably never develop chirrosis (cirrhosis)? Thank you in advance for any help.
Another question I have is about whether this level of liver damage is reversible? If I clear the hepatitis in the future will my liver go back to normal or is this damage permanate?