Hepatic dysfunction during and after lymphoma chemotherapy in patients with hepatitis C.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis C is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease. The literature regarding hepatic dysfunction in Hepatitis C patients during and after chemotherapy is limited.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine the incidence of hepatic dysfunction in Hepatitis C positive patients during and/or after chemotherapy for lymphoma.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review was performed. Patients included in the study were anti-hepatitis C virus positive patients treated with chemotherapy for lymphoma at the BC Cancer Agency since 1999. Serum transaminases and bilirubin were the primary criteria used to define and evaluate severity of hepatic dysfunction. Information regarding clinical outcomes was also collected.


RESULTS
Forty-one eligible patients were identified. Twenty-four patient charts had sufficient information for review. Four patients met criteria for acute chemotherapy-associated hepatic dysfunction. No deaths secondary to acute hepatic dysfunction were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatic dysfunction in patients with Hepatitis C being treated for lymphoma with chemotherapy occurs but is uncommon.
Shah
Justin
J
Department of Medicine, the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Yoshida
Eric M
EM
Connors
Joseph
J
Gill
Sharlene
S
D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies