How important is biopsy if already in tx?

[Junebug812]

Hello lovely people,

I'm wondering how important is it to have a biopsy even though I already started tx? I had a biopsy in 2004 and I was stage 1 fibrosis(?). For some reason, I thought being geno 3 meant I was ok and wouldn't progress, and could even continue to drink wine. I was so shocked at having Hep C, I think I chose to bury my head in the sand and act as though there was nothing to worry about or take any preventive steps. Fast forward to now...head out of the sand, doc last year highly recommended tx because of my genotype and low VL (300,000). He said a biopsy wasn't necessary if I decided to do tx. Now after reading so much about Hep C and effects of drinking alcohol, knowing I was having wine with dinner 3 to 4 nights a week (1 to 2 glasses) for the last 6 years, I wonder if I should have had a biopsy to see what state my liver is in. I no longer drink alcohol btw.

So, since I'm on tx and a Rapid Responder (UND @ 4 weeks), do you think a biopsy is a good idea or do I not have to worry since I have a decent chance of being SVR?

Many thanks,
June

[Bill1954]

I think most doctors would recommend against a biopsy right now. If you successfully address the HCV, further scarring wouldn’t be expected, and your liver might even go back a stage. Why risk an invasive procedure unless it changes the course of disease management?

I was grade 3, stage F3-4 per biopsy in 2004; cleared the virus by 2008; none of my doctors felt additional biopsy was indicated either during or post treatment.

Clear the virus, and none of this should be of further issue.

-Bill

[paen53]

Hi June,

I guess I've never heard of anyone having a bx during tx. Many Drs. like yours don't order a bx for G 2-3 unless there are special circumstances. My thoughts, if I were in your shoes, would be to continue tx as directed and stay positive. You've got alot going for you with the RVR and a low VL to start. IMHO, although no alcohol is stressed for those of us with HCV, I would try not to worry about your prior intake - a glass of wine with dinner is loads better than what some of us have ingested in the past (former huge party girl here). Nothing we can do about it anyway - just keep moving forward in a healthy direction.

[Junebug812]

Thanks guys. I am felling positive and fortunate overall, especially after reading what so many people in this forum have gone through (multiple tx, etc). Yep, nothing we can do about the past. I do miss my red with dinner, but oh well. Grape juice has its charms.