HEPATITIS C

WHAT IS THE OUTCOME OF STAGE 4 CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER?  DUE TO HEP C IS THERE ANYWAY TO CORRECT IT.

[Trinity4]

Antiviral therapy which is currently pegylated interferon and ribavirin can eradicate the hepc virus which will cease the liver damage.  If treatment is successful meaning the virus is eradicated, after a period of time liver histology may improve.  Without successful treatment the liver will continue to degenerate.

Newer drugs called protease inhibitors are expected to be released sometime in 2011 which will be used in conjunction with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.  This therapy will give a higher cure rate than the standard of care used now.

Trinity

[HectorSF]

If the liver is still compensated there is a chance of still treating the HCV with peg-riba treatment. Once the liver shows symptoms of decompensated cirrhosis (ascites, edema, varices bleeds, etc.) it is difficult to treat successfully and it is risky. At that point a person should find a hepatologist at a liver transplant center who is experienced in treating decompensated patients.
Of course the chances of clearing with the virus decreases as the liver is more damaged.

At a certain point after decompensation the patient experiences the final stage of cirrhosis, what is called End stage liver disease (ESLD). It is an irreversible condition that leads to the imminent complete failure of the liver or liver cancer. At this point the patient will need a liver transplant relatively soon or they will die.

So they are various degrees of cirrhosis. Depending on how far the liver damage has progressed determines whether it can be reversed or not.

Cheers.
Hectorsf