Surgical approach for hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract

Hepatitis C is a strong prognostic factor for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although liver resection and liver transplantation offer the chance of a cure for HCC, adequate management of co-existing infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is important to enable better long-term outcomes after surgery for HCV-related HCC. For patients undergoing liver resection, perioperative anti-viral treatment is recommended, since a decreased HCV viral load itself is reportedly associated with a lower tumor recurrence rate and a longer overall survival. For patients undergoing transplanatations for HCC complicated by end-stage liver disease, the post-transplant management of HCV infection is also necessary to prevent progressive graft injury caused by active hepatitis under the immunosuppressive condition that is needed after liver transplantation. Although only a few lines of solid evidence are available for postoperative antiviral treatment because of the limited indication and frequent adverse events caused by conventional high-dose combination interferon therapy, new direct acting anti-viral agents would enable interferon-free anti-viral treatment with a higher virologic response and minimal side effects.

• Authors: Junichi Shindoh, Masaji Hashimoto, Goro Watanabe
• Journal: World journal of hepatology (World J Hepatol) Vol. 7 Issue 1 Pg. 70-7 (Jan 27 2015) ISSN: 1948-5182 [Print] United States
• PMID: 25624998 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)