How long for you and how much damage?

[Mike1A84]

Heres a queston for everyone.How long have you had hep c for?and what
kind of damage to you have at this point.For me I have had it for almost 20 years and was stage 1 grade 1 in the beginning of 2011.anyway feedback would be nice.

[can-do-man]

Two very good posts by Advocate and desrt.......... We have seen this here many times...........

[Advocate1955]

Yes, in his case, he had the biopsy in 3 yrs, as Dr recommended, and had labs every 6 mo as Dr recommended...
There were no other treatments available at the time, so there wasn't anything different that he or docs could have done, even if they had known he was progressing so quickly.
Advocate1955

[desrt]

Agree progression is non-linear. Your husband's situation (little progression over years, even decades and then a 'sudden' jump of a couple stages) is not unusual.

"Some variables that may affect rate of progress may include length of disease, gender, genetics, ethnicity, and age of the individual."
Also age at which infected and all the factors that make up 'metabolic syndrome'  --  insulin resistance, cholesterol, hypertension, etc.  --  seem to play a role.
If I were doing "watchful waiting", I would get a biopsy more often than the every five years that is sometimes suggested.

[Advocate1955]

I don't know if you're referring to my hubby's situation, but, yes, that's exactly what happened. 2007 liver biopsy definitively showed between f1-f2. Results of abdominal ultrasound and CT scan were consistent with early fibrosis, no cirrhosis. 3 years later, liver biopsy definitively showed f4 beginning Cirrhosis, and abdominal ultrasound and CT scans were consistent w early Cirrhosis. His hepatologist had the pathologist re read both the 2007 and the 2010 biopsy slides to be sure that the progress was that quick. I'm sure you are aware that progression of fibrosis is not necessarily linear or at a steady pace. Some variables that may affect rate of progress may include length of disease, gender, genetics, ethnicity, and age of the individual. I want to be sure to spread the message loud and clear that fibrosis CAN progress quickly because it did for my husband. I am also here to say loud and clear to everyone with f2 and above treat when there are treatment options available to you.
Advocate1955

[medic54]

Add my above comment to the inherent variability of the individual histology technologists and biopsy's seem almost pseudo science. My doc is most def pro biopsy, and when I confronted him with my feelings on the inherent variables summing to significant discrepancies...he agreed but followed with- "but it remains the most accurate test to date". BTW- I most likely contracted it in 1972 (but like most, have know way of knowing), was diagnosed non A/ non B in 1992, first biopsy 2012 (F-3), moderate alcohol use (yes.. I know) but no other drugs all this time and genotype 3 (never sub-typed). So 40 years from f-0 to f-3 maybe (at least 20 + with ~ 6 beers/wk all this time) but to many variables to really know. There are controlled studies on the net which paint a more accurate assessment. One I read showed a longer span from 0 to 1 and 2 to 3 ( 9 years average I believe) than from 1 to 2 and 3 to 4 (6 years average each...if I recall correctly). It was a study in Karachi, which would have been predominately geno 3 (faster progression type).

[medic54]

This shows the problems with diagnosing an entire liver by means of one or two needle size samples from the same region. I find it highly improbable it took 30 years to progress 1 1/2 stages and then only 4 years for the remaining 2 1/2.