title: Prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic active hepatitis C and cirrhosis.
abstract: In a prospective randomised controlled study, 90 patients with chronic active hepatitis C and compensated cirrhosis were assigned symptomatic treatment or interferon alfa (IFN-alpha). We report data on decompensation, detection of hepatocellular carcinoma, and mortality rates. IFN-alpha gave a sustained response in only a small proportion of patients, but worsening of compensated cirrhosis was prevented and development of hepatocellular carcinoma was inhibited, increasing the survival rate. The risk ratio of IFN-alpha versus symptomatic treatment decreased by 0.250 for progression to Child-Pugh grade B, 0.256 for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma, and 0.135 for a fatal outcome.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nishiguchi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shiomi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakatani
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tamori
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Habu
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha