FATE OF PATIENTS WITH LATE-DETECTED HEPATITIS C INFECTION - CASE REPORTS

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection represents an insidious disease that is often detected with signs of liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. It is practicaly impossible to achieve a significant therapeutic progress in these patients without performing a liver transplantation. However, due to underdeveloped program of organ donations, this kind of intervention, as the last helpful procedure, is often not realized.This study presents three patients (out of 121 treated patients) followed during a two-year period. The patients had been initially registered when the stage of their disease became severe: liver failure with signs of decompensation. Antiviral therapy (pegylated interferon and ribavirin) in these patients have no use, hence only a corrective therapy is administered. Pathohistological findings in two patients revealed hepatocellular carcinoma, and in one case lethal outcome was the result of severe hepatic decompensation, hepatopulmonary and hepatorenal syndromes, as well as developed cardiopulmonary failure. Lethal outcome occurred in the period of 2 to 14 months after the first visit to a doctor. One patient was on the list for liver transplantation; however, surgery was not performed and soon after a fatal outcome ensued.

Keywords

• chronic hepatitis C
• liver cirrhosis
• hepatocellular carcinoma
• antiviral agents