Current Treatment of Hepatitis C and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Chronic hepatitis C, attributed to infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV), is a global health problem. The overall prevalence of viral hepatitis C in Japan is estimated to be 1.5∼1.7%. Clinically, HCV can establish a persistent, chronic infection contributing to progressive liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), requiring intensive treatment regimens such as transcatheter arterial embolization, radio frequency ablation and percutaneous ethanol injection therapy, and possible liver transplantation. Determination of viral genotype has been identified as one parameter that could provide direction in the clinical management of patients with chronic HCV infections. Occurrence of HCC is another serious problem in the management of chronic HCV infection. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) provides an effective technique for minimally invasive tissue destruction. Thus image-guided, percutaneous ablation techniques have been developed and widely accepted applications for the treatment of HCC of early cirrhosis or inoperable patients whose hepatic conditions is poor. This article offers background on determination of HCV genotypes and the relevance of viral genome characterization in the current treatment using anti viral agents, and also exemplify recent advance in non-surgical treatment of HCC.