Question about stages

[hisramblinrose]

Trying to make sense of this and cant.My  biopsy said I was Stage 0  grade 2.But my Dr says im half way to chirosis.Dont you need to have fibrosis first?Isnt stage 4 chirosis.??I feel like hes trying to rush me into treatment.Also got results back on Il 28 B,I am a "CC".Do I have time to wait?

[hisramblinrose]

I have a copy of labs.It says Stage0 Grade 2.When I asked him about waiting for all oral meds and since I had no liver damage ,his reply to me was "But you do have damage,you are 1/2 way to Chirossis?"
  He is also a hepatologist.I guess I need to arm myself next visit and get him to explain some things to me.I will be duin alot of research between now and then.

[eureka254]

Important to always get a copy of lab reports so that you can see for yourself; if indeed you are Stage 0, that would been that your biopsy showed no sustained damage within the liver.  Grade is a measure of inflammation, and does not correlate to whether or not cirrhosis is present.  However, if you were Stage 2, that would constitute "halfway to cirrhosis"... is your doc a hepatologist?

Treatment should be an individual decision, and you should feel neither pressured nor rushed. If you are Stage 0 and not Stage 2, there would be good reason to consider waiting if that is what you wanted to do. Being a "CC" allele gives you a high likelihood of success if you pursue treatment, but if you feel your physician is not working with you, perhaps seeking a second opinion might help.  Best of luck. ~eureka

[willbb]

Either your interpretation of the lab report is incorrect or your doctor is misinforming you.

Do you have a hard copy of the report..it is always a good idea to ask for one . That way there can be no mis-information passed on.

I would get this classified as  there is a big difference between " half way  to cirrhosis"(whatever that means) and St.0..(which means you have "no " liver damage.

If you feel like you are being rushed into treatment ,without the proper explanations from your doctor ..quite frankly I would suggest getting another doctor .
Preferably a Gastoenterologist that is knowlegable and experienced treating people with HCV or a Hepatologist..

Good luck..
Will

1oftheclub  : "the willbb"   lol

[orphanedhawk]

Listen to your feelings.
Don't let a doctor push you into anything.
Educate yourself and act when you are informed.
If you aren't sure, get a second opinion.

[1oftheclub222]

I kidnapped this from a post the willbb posted earlier today:


The fibrosis is graded on a 5-point scale from 0 to 4. The activity, which is the amount of inflammation (specifically, the intensity of necro-inflammatory lesions), is graded on a 4-point scale from A0 to A3.
Fibrosis score:
F0 = no fibrosis
F1 = portal fibrosis without septa
F2 = portal fibrosis with few septa
F3 = numerous septa without cirrhosis
F4 = cirrhosis

Activity score:
A0 = no activity
A1 = mild activity
A2 = moderate activity
A3 = severe activity

Activity "  is another term for Grading (inflamation) .