Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, the primary malignancy of the liver) is now the third most common cancer in the world affecting more than half a million people. The incidence of liver cancer varies greatly by race and ethnicity; and about 3 times more common in men than women [6]. The most common type of HCC - caused by Hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV) are most prevalent in Asia and Africa, as the presence of virus predisposes people to liver disease and subsequently HCC [7]. In such high prevalence areas of the world, HBV infection is often acquired at birth or in early childhood. In the US, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) account for more than 50% of people infected with HBV, although many of them are …show more content…
Detection of Hepatitis C virus is typically done using Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to detect hepatitis C antibody; or Hepatitis C RNA assays are used to determine the viral load. Genetic testing is then done to check for the type of Hep C infection, which can be of six types (genotypes 1 through 6). In the US, baby boomers (born 1945-1965) are encouraged to get tested, as they may be treated with antiviral drugs to prevent progression to cancer [12].
Vaccine is available to protect against HBV infection, but not for HCV. Even though vaccines exist, it can only protect against infections if they are administered before the person is exposed to the cancer-promoting virus [13]. Recent advances in screening have helped in early detection of cirrhosis. In recent times, quantitative assays for HBsAg and HBeAg are also being used in identifying patients likely to respond to anti-HBV treatments, although more work is needed to standardize these new assays [14]. When early detection is successful, treatments include surgery to remove part of the liver (partial hepatectomy) or liver transplant [6]. Other treatments include cryosurgery and radiation therapy for cases where cancer has not metastasized. For patients where cancer has metastasized, targeted therapy, chemotherapy or clinical
There are two different main types of diagnostic testing that can be done to determine if the Hepatitis C virus is present in your body. The Hepatitis C Antibody test is a screening test ordered by your physician that will show if you have ever been exposed to the virus in your lifetime. This test detects antibodies that your body would have formed in order to fight off the Hepatitis C virus.
The severity of complication range from mild discomforts to death. According to the CDC, 2014 “approximately 15%–25% of people with chronic Hepatitis B develop serious liver problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer”. It is estimated that nearly one million people in the United States (US) have chronic HBV and approximately 3,000 people die yearly from HBV liver related problems. Since the introduction of the immunization in 1990 there has been more than a 80% reduction in the number of HBV cases here in the US. Globally, approximately 350 million people are estimated to have chronic HBV and there are an estimated 620,000 contributory
The increasing number of citizens that are testing positive for Hepatitis C is shocking and the epidemic is just getting worse. One out of every one hundred people in the general population has Hepatitis C, but the ratio is higher in prisons. One out of every six inmates has Hepatitis C (Wegner, Rottnek, Parker and Crippin, 2014). Hepatitis C (HCV) is a blood disease that is caused by a virus and it affects the liver. Unfortunately there is no vaccine to prevent this disease and I have seen first-hand how ugly this virus is. I have worked in the medical field for the past 6 years and I have a very close friend who contracted HCV. Unfortunately, she was one of the many people that needed a liver transplant. HCV has infected four times as
HBV, as stated above, is a disease that affects the liver by coming into contact as an infant from the mother during birth, sex with an infected partner, sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes of an
There are a number of individuals who may be suffering from an illness and not even be aware they have an illness. One example of such illness is Hepatitis C (HCV). Hepatitis C is a severe disease of the liver. It is caused by the Hepatitis C virus (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2015). As a result, Hepatitis C has been termed a silent epidemic (CDC, 2015). This is because a lot of individuals have Hepatitis C and don’t even realize they have the infection (CDC, 2015). As the infection begins to progress over time, it could cause acute issues to the liver (CDC, 2015). Those issues could be things like damage to the liver, the liver could fail to function, cirrhosis, or even cancer of the liver (CDC, 2015). However, screening for Hepatitis C will allow an individual to benefit from treatments that are available, hence eliminating the disease from the body and preventing the liver from undergoing any further damage (CDC, 2015).
The most common liver infection is Hepatitis B, which is a potentially life threatening infection that is caused by the Hepatitis B Virus. “Hepatitis B is a DNA virus belonging to the hepadnaviridae family of viruses.” It originally infected birds many years ago when dinosaurs still roamed the planet. Paleovirology is the study of ancient viruses, which gives the ability to reconstruct viral ancestors to learn more about them. Mesozoic-era HBV is similar to the HBV that infects people today. Hepatitis B may cause cirrhosis or liver cancer. The liver is the second largest organ in the body, it is located underneath the rib cage. The liver processes anything that is being digested into energy and nutrients into the body. The liver also removes harmful substances from the blood. The body’s immune system responds by attempting to eliminate the virus which than causes injury to the liver. Approximately two billion people in the world has had evidence of the virus, and 2.2 billion people in the United States are chronically infected. Majority of these individuals are carriers which means they appear healthy, but may still be able to spread the virus to others. When discussing a serious
HCV is the major cause of liver transplantation in Western countries (Roels and Rahmel, 2011).
The recent changes in US Preventative Service Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for HCV screening will mean a significant amount of asymptomatic patients will be screened, and test positive for HCV. Identifying patients in the early stages will hopefully prevent irreversible liver damage and lead to treatments that will improve clinical outcomes while reducing the risk of transmission (CMS, 2014). According to CMS, up to 75% of HCV-infected persons are currently unaware of their status (2014).
It is estimated that hepatitis B infects approximately one third of the world population— mostly young adults and teenagers. Of that percentage, about 340 million people are chronically infected meaning they cannot get rid of the virus. Sadly, this statistic leads to the depressing rate of approximately one million hepatitis B related deaths each year (Nguyen, V. T., & Dore, G. J., 2008).
All people should be wary of this disease because it is common in most of the world and Estimates indicate that there are 240 million people are infected with hepatitis B so, This inflammation and is a global health problem prominent. It can cause chronic infection and to expose people to the risk of death due to cirrhosis of the liver strongly and liver cancer and The available vaccine for hepatitis B since 1982. This vaccine is 95% effective in preventing infection and the incidence of chronic disease and liver cancer caused by inflammation mentioned .[1] Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus . Hepatitis B infection becomes chronic so , it will increases the risk of developing liver
A medical care practitioner is able to diagnose the strain of these three hepatitis by using imaging studies like CAT scan or sonograms. Blood test and liver biopsy. Many people shows no symptoms during diagnosis of viral hepatitis, which is often called as a silent disease.
Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignancy worldwide and the second cause of cancer-related mortality in eastern and western countries [1]. Each year, >700,000 patients diagnosed as HCC and morbidity rates of HCC continue to increase, possibly due to deterioration of environment, unhealthy dietary habits and other related factors [2].
The goal of treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection is eradication of the virus. . Achievement of a sustained virological response (SVR) to antiviral treatment, which is defined as absence of HCV RNA by PCR six months after completing treatment, is a robust predictor of long term clearance of HCV RNA, and is thus considered the definition of a cure. It is also associated with reduction in all cause and liver-related mortality, decreased rates of liver-related complications including hepatocellular carcinoma, and reduced requirement for hepatic
HCV antibody testing may be done when someone has abnormal results on a liver panel or symptoms associated with hepatitis. In these cases, it may be done as part of an acute hepatitis panel. Most people newly infected with HCV have no symptoms or ones that are so mild that they rarely prompt a person to visit a doctor and get tested for HCV. However, about 10-20% of people may experience symptoms such as fatigue, pain in the abdominal area, decreased appetite, and vomiting. Based on the patient medical history and symptoms was made decision to take blood test to detect a specific antibody to the hepatitis C virus (antiHCV) in the serum or plasma. An HCV antibody test is detect the presence of antibodies to the virus, indicating exposure to
Between 8,000 to 10,000 people a year die from the effects of this disease and the only way to know if a person has it or not is by blood tests and a liver biopsy(Berkman, 2000). All Hepatitis C viruses (HCV) are made up of an outer coat and contain enzymes and proteins that allow the virus to reproduce within the cells of the body, particularly within the liver. With the presence of the virus in the liver the body triggers the immune system which inflames the liver as a way to protect itself against the virus. Most people do not experience any symptoms until the Hepatitis C virus causes liver damage which can take ten or more years to happen. Like HBV, the Hepatitis C virus has the same symptoms and there is also an acute and a chronic type. If the body is capable of fighting and defeating the virus then it is acute HCV, but if the body is not able to fight the virus then it is leading to chronic Hepatitis C. Of every 100 people infected with Hep. C about 75-85 people will develop chronic Hepatitis C virus infection which then leads to liver disease, failure and even cirrhosis (a chronic disease of the liver marked by degeneration of cells, inflammation, and fibrous thickening of tissue.) 3.2 million people in the U.S have Hepatitis C infection and without treatment, chronic Hep C can cause liver cancer or severe liver damage that leads to liver