Hmmm - wish it wasn't so - 8 years is a long time. But at least we have this: "Among patients who did not achieve SVR or who were untreated, the risk for HCC was higher. The risk for any liver-related complication, liver-related death or overall death was lower among patients who achieved SVR."

So when we can treat, and each of us has different scenarios and timelines for that, we most definitely should.

The way I read it is that the risk is mainly for cirrhotics

And that would make sense.

and that would be me *sigh* :^)

I know this may be a stupid question but I have to ask it anyway.
Once a person achieves SVR, does it stop all progression of fibrosis or cirrohsis?

Calgon take me away!!

Yes Clay unless some other situation damages your liver

..like Ritz crackers but I just can't stop!!! :^)

If the patient takes good care of themselves and stays away from anything that could cause any more damage to their liver, then even cirrhotics can totally or at the very least partially reverse the fibrosis and/or cirrhosis once they achieve SVR and continue to take care of themselves...

IMHO, the only exception to that would be a decompensated cirrhotic liver that has basically become ESLD which would then require a liver transplant @ the present time...

A liver with fibrosis of any grade should be able to totally regenerate once SVR has been achieved but, this will not happen overnight because everyone would have a different level of damage or inflammation within their livers plus there other factors to consider also so, you cannot put an actual time frame that would be the same for everyone.

Pretty soon,Galectin science which is one of many emerging technologies basically involving genetic manipulation, will soon be developed enough to be another useful tool in aiding patients restore their livers in a very efficient manner from both fibrosis as well as cirrhosis...

There's a bunch of very promising treatments in the pipeline in various stages of development that will be so revolutionary in how we treat a variety of liver diseases as well as other complex diseases also! And they may be ready a whole lot sooner than we are being led to believe!

Respectfully,
Henry

So encouraging and so true Henry.

Thank you henry and kramer! I have wondered about these very things.

So we cannot fully exhale until 8 years clear, is that correct?...and time for regeneration, or not, is up to our self care and other factors?

Well, we all need to need to get over that first hurdle! i'll drink ot that - water of course!

OK-- I think some folks have been told they were SVR and later on the C poked it's lovely head out again. Of course the docs would blame the pts.

I for one, want a viral load for many years to come even after they say I am cured.

These two should help in answering your question Shadow:

Association Between Hepatitis C and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2840947/

The Natural History of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1415841/

There's more but, I don't want to bore any more than I already am with these articles. ;>)

Respectfully, (For the most part!;>) )
HANK