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Open Access Case Report

Development of hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient 13 years after sustained virological response to interferon against chronic hepatitis C: a case report

Tsuyoshi Mashitani, Hitoshi Yoshiji*, Masaharu Yamazaki, Yasuhide Ikenaka, Ryuichi Noguchi, Masatoshi Ishikawa, Hideto Kawaratani, Norihide Matsuo, Masahito Uemura, Junichi Yamao, Masao Fujimoto, Akira Mitoro, Masahisa Toyohara, Motoyuki Yoshida, Masayoshi Sawai, Chie Morioka, Tatsuhiro Tsujimoto, Mitsuteru Kitade, Kosuke Kaji, Yosuke Aihara and Hiroshi Fukui

Author Affiliations

Third Department of Internal Medicine, Nara Medical University, Shijo-cho 840, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan

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Cases Journal 2009, 2:18 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-18

Published: 7 January 2009

Abstract

Background

Although several recent reports have shown that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) even after having a sustained virological response (SVR) to interferon (IFN) therapy, it is not common for HCC to develop more than 10 years after SVR.

Case presentation

A 73-year-old Japanese man with CH-C who achieved SVR to IFN therapy 13 years ago was admitted into our hospital because of huge multiple liver tumors along with marked elevation of the tumor markers. Several diagnostic modalities strongly suggested HCC, and we performed histopathological examination. After confirming the diagnosis as well-differentiated HCC, we successfully treated these tumors with intensive combination therapies.

Conclusion

Our report highlights the need for careful follow-up for more than 10 years even if the patients with CH-C achieve SVR to IFN therapy.