Cancer was detected two years after recovering from hepatitis B and C

When treating hepatitis B and C, Mr. Luan’s viral load fell below the detection threshold (the amount of virus in his blood was very low). Since then, he has been eating, drinking, and living normally, so he has not had regular check-ups.

Recently, he had a general health check-up at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, an ultrasound and CT scan of the abdomen detected a 4.2 cm liver tumor that had not metastasized outside the liver. BS.CKII Ho Si Minh, Head of Liver Tumor Unit, Oncology Department, Oncology Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said the incubation period of hepatitis B and C often lasts many years. During the period when these viruses are highly active, they have time to destroy liver cells, change the way genes work, and silently trigger cancer-causing genes.

Inflammation B virus is a DNA virus, capable of integrating directly into the human genome. When entering the body, the virus can insert DNA segments into the liver cell genome, leading to chromosomal rearrangements and activation of oncogenes. Hepatitis C virus is an RNA virus that does not integrate into the human genome. The mechanism of carcinogenesis is mainly mediated by the microenvironment (indirect mechanism) causing chronic necrosis and fibrosis of liver cells leading to cirrhosis and the risk of liver cancer.

“Using antiviral drugs to help with a negative viral load is only the initial success,” Dr. Minh said, adding that the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma remains because the virus has not been completely eliminated.

Mr. Luan had laparoscopic liver surgery to remove the tumor. Through the endoscopy screen, the doctor noted that Mr. Luan’s liver was slightly cirrhotic, with only a single 4 cm tumor in lower segment 6. The team used an ultrasonic scalpel and a welding knife to cut the part of the liver containing the tumor. The patient does not need a blood transfusion, has no complications of liver failure, bile leak… after surgery.

Blood tests to evaluate liver and kidney function… and abdominal ultrasound examination after surgery did not detect any abnormalities. Mr. Luan was discharged from the hospital after 4 days, without any complications.

In Vietnam, there are about 7.6 million people infected with hepatitis B virus, nearly one million people with hepatitis C. According to Dr. Minh, these are the two leading causes of hepatocellular carcinoma. Co-existing hepatitis B and C increases the risk of liver cancer many times.

Doctors recommend getting vaccinated against hepatitis B to prevent the virus from entering the body. There is currently no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C, prevent the disease by having safe sex, not sharing needles and following preventive measures as directed by your doctor.

People infected with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C, fatty liver… after treatment, even though their viral load is low, still need to be controlled and periodically monitored for follow-up examinations every 3-6 months. Doctors can prescribe liver ultrasound screening combined with AFP cancer marker testing, which helps detect liver cancer early, improve the chance of effective treatment and preserve liver function.