Hepatitis B and C Virus Infection is a Risk Factor for the Development

Hep C and Hep B carriers are at high risk of CCA disease progression. Although, the majority of Hep C and B patients are of Asian descent we do however see a small subgroup of these patients in the Western World as well. Early detection methods are not in place – no one knows what to look for. The majority of patients are diagnosed at late stage disease when (in most instances) the patient has become symptomatic. Then there are those select few, who due to other medical testing, are accidentally diagnosed with this cancer. But we stay hopeful that with the recent explosion of genetic testing answers may be found.
Patients in the high risk groups including those carrying the Hep C and Hep B virus should make their physicians aware of the possibility of contracting CCA, but the question remains: what to look for? Scans can only detect nodules exceeding 1cm and the CA 19-9 is not considered a prognostic factor.

Hugs,
Marion