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Viral hepatitis is an organ disease caused by hepatotropic and non-hepatotropic viruses. Hepatitis is necrosis of the liver, which is most often transmitted through the digestive tract, e.g. when we eat it with dirty hands that have previously been in contact with the virus.
Stages of hepatitis B or C infection
Infection with hepatitis B or C virus can occur at several different stages of severity. Most people show no symptoms immediately after infection. Others may feel more tired than usual or have pseudo-flu symptoms such as fever, vague aches and pains, or nausea. Some people may also develop more severe symptoms of acute liver disease with liver failure. In addition, patients with chronic hepatitis C may experience, for example, joint pain or depression. While during the first six months after infection, the disease is described as “acute”, persistent infections become “chronic”. In general, younger people are at greater risk of developing the chronic form of the disease. While there is a chance that acute infections will resolve spontaneously, chronic infections require extensive treatment. Therefore, regular screening for liver damage and tumor growth, such as ultrasound every six months, is extremely important for chronically infected patients.
Viral hepatitis – symptoms
Hepatitis B and C generally shows no warning symptoms during the early stages. Often, symptoms such as fatigue, fever, nausea or loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine or yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes may appear for two or three months after infection. They can be of varying severity – from mild to severe. Most infants and children with hepatitis B never develop these symptoms, and some adults do. Therefore, the disease can be extremely insidious and malicious.
Viral hepatitis and prevention
The best way to prevent hepatitis B infection is vaccination. It usually involves giving a series of three injections over a six-month period. The vaccine can be given to just about anyone, including infants, elderly adults and people with a weak immune system. As a vaccine against the hepatitis C virus has not yet been invented, other measures should be taken to reduce the risk of infection. General caution is required when engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse, during surgical or dental procedures, tattooing or piercing. In addition, those undergoing medical procedures should always ensure that doctors use sterile medical and dental equipment.
Liver cancer is closely related to inflammation and cirrhosis of the liver
Statistics show that up to 90 percent of children infected with the hepatitis virus in the first years of life develop the chronic form of the disease and are at increased risk of dying from liver cancer. It is the fourth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death in the world. It has been shown that the incidence of this disease has increased in recent years due to the global increase in the number of infections with hepatitis B and C viruses. Moreover, the prevalence of obesity and diabetes, which can lead to fatty liver disease, is also increasing. are also often associated with an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma.
Viral hepatitis – risk factors
About 90 percent of the primary malignant liver tumors are cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, which most often develops from cirrhosis or chronic organ inflammation. It begins in the liver itself. In recent years, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma has increased due to the increasing number of hepatitis B and C infections on a global scale, but also due to diagnostic progress. Both of these viruses can cause life-threatening late complications, such as cirrhosis, which is a known major precursor to malignant tumor growth and occurs in 80–90 percent of all liver cancer patients. Moreover, factors increasing the risk of this cancer may include: family history of liver disease, excessive alcohol consumption or long-term use of certain steroids. Besides, the so-called Civilization diseases, such as obesity, diabetes or fatty liver, which are often the result of unhealthy eating habits, increase the risk of developing liver cancer. It should also be mentioned that, according to the available statistics, the male sex is more likely to develop this disease.
Viral hepatitis and cancer risk
60-70% percent of malignant liver tumors are caused by viral hepatitis, the prevention of infection with this virus significantly reduces the risk of their development. Effective ways to reduce your personal risk factors for cancer include eating a more balanced diet, exercising regularly, reducing excess weight and reducing alcohol consumption. Patients at increased risk of disease are recommended to undergo screening ultrasound examinations every six months. Early and effective treatment is essential in people infected with the hepatitis virus.
Hepatitis and cancer
Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma depends on numerous factors such as the size, location, and stage of the tumor. Moreover, the level of basic liver function and the general condition of the patient influence the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy. If the tumor is detected early and the remainder of the liver is healthy, surgery with or without an organ transplant may completely heal the patient. However, only about 15 percent of patients with cancer can be resected. There are three other treatment options besides surgery:
- radiotherapy, which uses high-energy X-rays or other forms of radiation to eliminate cancer cells,
- general and local chemotherapy, which consists of administering drugs by mouth or by injection; chemoembolization is a method of treatment consisting in delivering chemotherapeutic agents directly to the area of the liver where the tumor is located, which results in blocking its blood supply,
- percutaneous injection of ethanol, which is carried out using a special needle directly into the tumor for the local elimination of tumor cells.
Treatment of liver cancer
Until recently, systemic medications have failed to prolong survival in liver cancer patients. However, the promising advances made with the use of molecularly targeted (so-called ‘targeted’) active substances offer patients the opportunity to obtain effective therapy. These modern drugs precisely fight cancer by simultaneously attacking multiple weaknesses in cancer cells. They block the signals that stimulate them to grow and prevent the formation of new blood vessels without which the tumor cannot survive. Advances made with the use of these drugs give patients hope. However, experts still believe that the patient’s individual attitude and knowledge about the disease play an equally important role. Therefore, early diagnosis and reduction of risk factors remain the most important elements in the fight against this deadly disease.
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