Liver biopsy levels

Hi Everyone,
I would like to know something about liver biopsy results that I should know by now but don't. Prior to my treatment last year I had a liver biopsy. My doctor told me I was a stage 1 or 2. I thought it was odd that it was a little loose. It seems like everyone else on here knows exactly what stage they are at. I would like to post those results to see what you all think. I really appreciate your input and value your knowledge. This is what it says:

Liver Biopsy: Chronic Hepatitis
Etiology: Hepatitis C (By History)
Degree of Activity: Mild to Focally Moderate (2-3, 0f 4).
Degree of Fibrosis: Periportal Fibrosis; Stage II (of IV).
HAI (Histoloic Activity Index) Score:8-10.
Periportal Piecemeal Necrosis: 1-3
Intralobular Degeneration/Focal Necrosis: 1-3
Portal Inflammation: 3
Fibrosis: 1.
Steatosis:  Minimal (Less than 5% of Hepatocytes).
Other Lesions: None Detected.
Co-Existing Pre-Neoplastic lesions: None Detected.

The report notes that the specimin was 20mm in length.

If you need more information please let me know. I guess what is confusing me is when is a person considered to be cirrhotic or having advanced cirrhosis. Do we all some degree of cirrhosis? I am almost six months post tx ( as of May 8th). I will be tested again after that date and will report the results. FYI I have been UND since week 4 and was checked 3 mos post tx and still UND.

[Sentinel13]

Hi Gerbils: Fibrosis Stage 4 means cirrhosis. Looks like you are in good shape there!

I have two of my biopsy reports posted on my personal page (2002 & 2012). Your report doesn't read exactly like mine does -- I guess there is not a medical standard for the report content.

Is this your first biopsy? If no, do you have your previous biopsy information available for comparison? Cheers, GB

[orphanedhawk]

Simply put, stage 4 is cirrhosis.

Try this link:
http://www.hepcnet.net/scoring_grading.html

[willbb]

Hi gerbils:

Do we all some degree of cirrhosis?    No... cirrhosis is defined  basically by having severe and widespread scarring throughout the liver ,being either compensated(the liver can still preform it's functions ) or decompensated(whereas it can longer preform some and eventually all functions)

Basically your lab report states you had minimal to moderate liver damage(fibrosis) moderate to fairly severe inflammation going on(which would have been caused by virus further the damage),with very minimal fatty liver and no lesions of any concern.

The important point is that you mention this was done prior to tx. and now   there is no virus assaulting the liver and causing inflammation leading to scarring....hence  "happy liver" :)

look forward to your SVR announcement..
Will

[Gerbils]

Thanks for the information, I really appreciate it. Yes, that was my first biopsy. I was diagnosed in October of 2010 and had the biopsy in January 2011. What I had found so confusing was that the doctor had said I was in stage one or two. I switched doctors before treating due to concerns I had about the first one (and am happy I did). They had told me I could wait to treat and I waited for Incivek to be released and then went ahead.

I was thrilled to see your biopsy results. That is so encouraging. Hep C sure does a number on your liver but you are recovering beautifully. Congratulations! You mentioned that our reports look different and that is true and another reason it is easy to be confused by the results.

Thanks again for responding.
G

[Gerbils]

Thanks for the response. That is a great link explaining the different things they are evaluating. Even when I read the info on the web site I can't tell if I am a one or a two. I am usually good at reading medical info but there are two many different things evaluated and I don't see how they tabulate down to get one answer. I just don't really understand why most people get a definitive answer about their stage and I didn't. I know people can progress rapidly from one stage to the other or not but still most people got a more solid answer. Again, thanks for the information. I hope you are doing well!
G

[Sentinel13]

Hi Gerbils: I took another look at your biopsy results from the perspective of your doctor saying you are stage 1 or 2 and tried to correlate your results to your doctor's statement. Inflammation is referred to as Grade. Fibrosis is referred to as Stage. So, I'll remove all of what I believe are inflammation items and we have left:

"Degree of Fibrosis: Periportal Fibrosis; Stage II", and;
"Fibrosis: 1"

Based on this approach, I can see why you were told your fibrosis stage was 1 or 2. Cheers, GB