hcc at mid-30s

[rosy888]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and glad to find many useful discussion here.
I am in my mid-30s and recently just had a liver resection due to hcc. Good thing is it's caugh in early stage...

Brief history:
-got hepB probably at birth
-ALT elevated for a few years in my 20s (in the 50~100 range; not treated that time due to no effective drug available and want to have baby first)
-ALT got back to normal in the past few years, together with lower virus DNA (decreased from 10^7 to <2000 copy); also eAg became netagive while eAb became positive)
-normal ultrasound findings (monitor every 6 month) in the past few years

However, a few months ago, a tumor was found caugh by AFP and comfirmed by MRI. Have been on Baraclude since then (never got treated before).

My questions are:
1. why hcc was found suddently although test results seem to suggest everything was getting better in the past few years(normal ALT, low virus load, e-seroconversion) ?
2. is  Baraclude the best option for me?
3. any other things I should consider/try to prevent re-occurance?

Any comment/suggestion would be highly appreciated!

[rosy888]

Hi StephenCastlecrag, thank you so much for your comment!

Yes it's true that, although it's less common, HCC can develop without fibrosis/cirrhosis - myself is an example.  

Frequent monitoring is really important, and I hope you all could learn from my experience.... I am now trying whatever might help hoping to prevent the reoccurance.

[rosy888]

Thanks for the info about heptech, will look into it.

In the past I checked AFP every 6 months or so, and the last AFP was just checked at the right timing - when it's just slighly elevated!

Never have HbsAg quantity done; as I understand from other postings in this board, this test is not avaliable in the US, right?

[StephenCastlecrag]

Sorry to hear that you had HCC but glad that it was caught early.  I only have very general knowledge of HCC, so here are my opinion:
1. HCC can develop without fibrosis/cirrhosis. "While most HCCs occur in cirrhotic livers, tumours can also occur in livers with minimal histological changes. This phenomenon is more common in Southern Africa (where about 40% have minimal liver damage) than in Asia,America and Europe (where more than 90% are associated with cirrhosis). "
Many causes have been suggested:
a) integration of part of the hbv genome into the liver cell genome;
b) HBV X protein promotes development of HCC
2. I believe antiviral treatment is appropriate. This is, I believe, to ensure virus replication is reduced, therefore no progression of fibrosis/cirrhosis. Viral load has been identified as the biggest risk factor for HCC. Also, I think,  a low viral load will reduce inflammation, hence less hepatic cell division to replace damaged liver cells.
3. I believe regular and frequent screening is important.

Just my opinion.

[Rome70]

Thanks for the info. Did you take any vitamins or food supplements?

Check this http://www.heptech.com/

They have pro and consumer lineup. Pro is branded heptech and consumer

http://www.advanceliferesearch.com/

It is absolutely the same thing but heptech is more concentrated.
if you are in the US they sell Heptech only through the doctors, while advancedlife is sold to everybody.

Search the other posts about heptech products you will find more info. Stef2011 reversed cirrhosis within 6 month on Heptech.

How fast the tumor developed? When did you do AFP test before the last time?

Did you ever test your HbsAg quantity?

[rosy888]

Hi Rome70, thanks for the reply!
I did a biopsy 3 yrs ago, no crirhosis. Even the pathology report done on the liver removed found no cirrhosis.
In general, I consider myself eating healthy diet (lots of fruits and vegi, only eat red meats ocationally).  Normal BMI (a bit on the lean side).  Not much exercie though.

Can you please provide a bit more info on "heptech food supplements"?

Thank you .

[Rome70]

Please tell more about yourself, what is your diet, your BMI? Do you do any sport, exercises?