Hepatitis & Face Lifts

[Gia305]

Can a woman with hepatitis C have a face lift?

[nygirl7]

Consider treating your HCV a facelift for your liver.  If you are advanced all the face lifts in the world aren't going to help.

[BoceprevirGal]

Multiple studies have attempted to measure the time interval from infection to cirrhosis and HCC. Frequently, the initial time of infection is not known, and therefore must be estimated. On the other hand, individuals that contracted HCV through a single blood transfusion or surgery are able to provide more precise time intervals from infection to cirrhosis and HCC. In a longitudinal U.S. study by Tong et al., the mean time of development of cirrhosis was 21 +/- 10 years in chronic post-transfusion hepatitis C patients. [60] Although the mean time to cirrhosis in chronic HCV patients is estimated at 20 years, only 10-20% of patients will actually develop cirrhosis within this time period. [4, 61] In this same study by Tong et al., the time to diagnosis of HCC was 28 +/- 11 years. [60] In a European study by Castells et al., the time to development of cirrhosis and HCC was 24 years and 27 years, respectively. [62] Once cirrhosis is established, HCC develops at an annual rate of 1% to 4%. [52, 56, 57, 63-66] Higher estimates in the range of 5-7% have been reported from Japan. Given the close time range between cirrhosis and HCC, it is imperative to screen for HCC in HCV patients with cirrhosis. In the U.S., Australia, and Europe, liver transplantation is the principle long-term treatment for patients with severely decompensated cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. [3]

[BoceprevirGal]

  Can-do's post stated that HCC has to do with being cirrhotic. So I posted a link, which mentions that a person with Hep C can get HCC, without being cirrhotic~
    I was just warning the OP that Hep C can cause cirrhosis and HCC. it is not a disease to take lightly, and it is a Silent Killer, which rarely shows symptoms, until cirrhosis occurs. Even people with normal blood-work have  discovered that they are cirrhotic,and if they arent decompensated, may still not have any symptoms~

[BoceprevirGal]

  Oh....from MedicineNet:
  What is the sensitivity of AFP for diagnosing liver cancer?

"The sensitivity of AFP for liver cancer is about 60%. In other words, an elevated AFP blood test is seen in about 60% of liver cancer patients. That leaves 40% of patients with liver cancer who have normal AFP levels. Therefore, a normal AFP does not exclude liver cancer. Also, as noted above, an abnormal AFP does not mean that a patient has liver cancer. It is important to note, however, that patients with cirrhosis and an abnormal AFP, despite having no documentable liver cancer, still are at very high risk of developing liver cancer. Thus, any patient with cirrhosis and an elevated AFP, particularly with steadily rising blood levels, will either most likely develop liver cancer or actually already have an undiscovered liver cancer.

An AFP greater than 500 ng/ml is very suggestive of liver cancer. In fact, the blood level of AFP loosely relates to (correlates with) the size of the liver cancer. Finally, in patients with liver cancer and abnormal AFP levels, the AFP may be used as a marker of response to treatment. For example, an elevated AFP is expected to fall to normal in a patient whose liver cancer is successfully removed surgically (resected)"
  Of course, an ultrasound and an MRI also, for people with cirrhosis, like you mention Can-Do, and you would know much more about that then I, thru yr personal experience.
    Unless the OP has symptoms such as low platelets,  or obvious signs of cirrhosis, such as fluid building up in places such as the legs (edema) or the belly (ascites),  bleeding varices, or encepalopathy, then my guess would be that she can precede, with the okay from her Doctor.
   Of course, my personal opinion is that the OP (Gia) should have a biopsy, it is still the Gold Standard. I had a FibroSure test that was inaccurate.  I feel that anybody who has had Hep C for more than 15 yrs, should get a biopsy!!!
   The 20 yr # is used alot, by Doctors, as a statistic as to when extra-hepatic and also hepatic symptoms tend to manifest.  I suppose I could post links, but I dont want us to high-jack this post :)

[can-do-man]

Very good point, the picture says it all.

[can-do-man]

"But after 20 yrs, liver cancer can come around, so keep getting those labs done, I'd say every 6 months after age 50 yrs,instead of just the labs at a yearly physical- word"
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First, anybody that is cirrhotic is at risk for Cancer, I haver never said or heard otherwise. Hep-C or not.

Now what I would like to know is what 20 years has to do with it. Please point me to the link that says after 20 years liver cancer can come around.

What does after age 50 mean? I have always thought no matter ones age if they are cirrhotic they are at risk.

And please tell me what kind of labs will tell you if you have Cancer? See I am cirrhotic and would love to just have labs done instead of Ultrasounds and MRI's done every 6 months as I would save alot of money and time. Oh BTW I no longer have Hep-C but my hepa still insists on these tests.