Relationship between Hep C and Liver Cancer

[LifelongSailor]

I am  a 65 year old paraplegic, have had Genotype 1 Hep C for 30 years and have been treated twice unsuccesfully.  I am now at the beginning of Stage 2 Fibrosis and have normal liver function while waiting to get into a study using all Oral Agents.  My new girlfriend age 59 has Liver Cancer but has it under control by getting Chemo every month.  What is my risk to her in terms of us having sexual activity?

[LifelongSailor]

Bill,
  Thanks for your response.  I need to find out more details of the origin of her cancer and treatment.  Yes, my concern is infecting her.  She expressed a concern that it could complicate her situation if she got infected, so that would lead me to believe that she must have gotten the cancer some other way and it must have spread to her liver.
    Allen

[LifelongSailor]

Hector,
  Sorry you have Liver Cancer and Hep C and thank you for your awesome answer.  I guess that means you are waiting for a transplant yourself.  
  It sounds like you really know what you are talking about.  I haven't known my girlfriend very long but yes, I really do care about her and don't want to do anything to make her situation worse.  If I could give her some pleasure, that would be wonderful.
   I will ask her more details about the origin of the cancer and the treatment.
          Allen

[BoceprevirGal]

Good point about the loss of drive thing....I think that was one of my fibrosis symptoms, I lost my mojo : (   I am still confused about the whole Hep C sexual transmission thing,  I wish there were more studies, I never worried about it until I went UND, and still waiting for my husband to treat.

[stormy456]

Vampire sex?  I'm afraid to google that ;)

[HectorSF]

Most cases of liver cancer (HCC) in the US only occur in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. The only exception is chronic hepatitis B which is most commonly found in patients from South East Asia. The most common cause of liver cancer in the US is in patients with hepatitis C and cirrhosis. Does your girlfriend have cirrhosis from another cause?

As you must know, liver cancer is a terminal illness. The only "cure" is to get a liver transplant before the cancer develops too many, too large sized tumors or spreads outside of the liver. Assuming she has HCC (primary liver cancer). Cancer that developed in the liver itself. Cancer from somewhere else that is now in the liver is not called liver cancer, but called by the name of the organ it originally developed in.

As I said your girlfriend needs a transplant as soon as possible if she has HCC (primary liver cancer). Hopefully she is listed to get one soon and has the cancer exception MELD points she needs to get a transplant. Her treatments are only to keep her alive long enough to get a transplant. The term "bridge to transplant" is used to indicate this. The treatments are not curative. Only a liver transplant can "cure" liver cancer" by getting rid of the cancerous organ.

I am surprised she feels well enough to want to have sexual activities. More power to her. Chemo treatment can be every harsh and can make people fell nauseous and loose their appetite not only for food but sex too. Sex and nausea don't mix very well. But if she is feeling up to it great.

If she already has hepatitis C then obviously it makes no difference as she is already infected. If she doesn't have have hepatitis C, the chances of passing the virus during sexual activity is very low. Many couples have lived together for decades and not infected the uninfected partner. If you want to be 100% sure there is no transmission, practice safe sex. The most important thing to be aware of is that hepatitis C is a blood to blood virus so no rough sex involving blood exchange, no cutting, no vampire sex (whatever that is) or blood play that would involve the transfer of blood between yourself and her blood should be performed.

From the CDC

"People can become infected with the Hepatitis C virus during such activities as

Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs
Needlestick injuries in health care settings
Being born to a mother who has Hepatitis C

Less commonly, a person can also get Hepatitis C virus infection through

Sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes
Having sexual contact with a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus."

"Can Hepatitis C be spread through sexual contact?
Yes, but the risk of transmission from sexual contact is believed to be low. The risk increases for those who have multiple sex partners, have a sexually transmitted disease, engage in rough sex, or are infected with HIV. More research is needed to better understand how and when Hepatitis C can be spread through sexual contact."

I also have liver cancer and hepatitis C so I am familiar with these issues. I always practice safe sex and it is not really hard to do if you have an imagination but is really up to you, the guy, to be responsible for your actions. It appears from your posting like you care enough about your new girlfriend to do what is right. Good for you.

I wish you both the best.
I hope your girlfriend gets a transplant soon.
I hope a treatment comes along that can beat your hepatitis.

Hector