ASSOCIATION OF HEPATITIS-C WITH LIVER CIRRHOSIS AND HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA - A CASE STUDY

Abstract

             Hepatitis-C virus infection (HCV) is endemic in many countries of the world including Georgia. Georgia has a high burden of HCV infection with an estimated 5.4% of adult population (1,50,000) people have identified with HCV.  According to NCDC (National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health from May 2015 national HCV programme have been launched, supported by the American company “Gi lead” and the government of Georgia. Our main goal is to investigate and manage the hepatocellular carcinoma. According to the study done from the patient at Infectious Disease AIDS and clinical immunology scientific research centre it has been found that in 57-year-old male patient who was chronically infected with HCV, cirrhosis, the virus has been directly associated with the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. He was diagnosed as chronic hepatitis-C and liver cirrhosis (genotype 3a).              Treatment with pegylated interferon and Ribavirin 1200 mg for 6 months was continued. Treatment finished without side effects but after 6 months HCV RNA was detectable or patient relapsed. In 2015, the patient was switched in elimination programme and antiviral treatment combined with interferon for 12 weeks. Sustained viral response developed 6 months after termination of therapy. The alpha-fetoprotein is important tumour marker and was elevated around 583 µ/l. Ultrasound didn’t reveal any lesion but after MRI scan 3^rd grade hepatocellular carcinoma was confirmed. Following 2015 every month patient has been assessed for liver function tests, total bilirubin, complete blood count, alpha-fetoprotein and ultrasound investigation and as a result liver enzyme found to be elevated. It’s crucial for every patient (end stage of liver disease) to undergo ultrasound investigations, liver function test for further follow up.