hepatoma screening

I was dignosed with hep C in 2001. in 2003 I had a liver biopsy which showed no cirrhosis or cancer. I have had no other screening for hepatoma. Is this standard practice?

[jmjm530]

As a stage 3, my doctor's recommended alternating ultrasounds and MRI's every six months to screen for liver cancer. You can also throw CAT scan into the mix, but because of the increased radiation of CAT scans, I was advised not to do them on a yearly basis. Each of the the three screening devices gives you a different "take", therfore the mix. I imagine this protocol changes if you have less liver damage. Best to check with a liver specialist (hepatologist).

All the best.

-- Jim

[GrandOak]

From all I've read and heard, I do not know that there really is anything which can be called a "standard practice".  While there seems to be some standardization on base tx, you've probably seen here a variety of MD recommendations as far as whether to start tx or wait; when to augment tx with Procrit or Neupogen, whether to augment tx, reduce dosages, or stop tx; how low Hgb, ANC, platelets, etc. fall before augmenting, just to name some of the more visible issues.  (We won't even touch the diet, smoking, drinking, exercise, and other such "interesting" issues ;-)

Those I know who are living with HCV hoping for a better tx or signs of their condition getting worse seem to have a biopsy, and PCR, done every 3-6 years, many times at their own request.  They also seem to have regular labs done to watch the Hepatic panel for signs in the LFT's that something may be changing.

Some of these have been anywhere from stage 1 to 3 with geno's 1, 2, and 3.

Hope this helps.