Hepatitis B – cirrhosis – Liver cancer is the trilogy of hepatitis that we know. Many patients with hepatitis B sadly think that they are developing liver disease Cancer in the future and will be passive in treatment. But can hepatitis B really easily develop into liver cancer?
How long does it take for hepatitis B to develop into liver cancer?
It is an undeniable fact that the hepatitis B virus is a major killer of liver cancer. Epidemiological experts have long found that most areas where hepatitis B is endemic also have a high incidence of liver cancer.
When the blood of liver cancer patients was examined, it was found that 95% had signs of hepatitis B virus infection and about 10% had signs of hepatitis C virus infection. Some of the patients were infected with two hepatitis viruses at the same time (while hepatitis B virus infection rarely occurs with hepatitis A and hepatitis E). liver cirrhosis, liver cancer).
How long does it take for hepatitis B to develop into liver cancer? There are currently different opinions in the medical community. Data varies slightly due to factors such as region and race. In general, 10 to 30% of patients with chronic hepatitis B develop liver cirrhosis over a period of at least 5 to 10 years. In addition, 5-10% of liver cirrhosis develop into liver cancer after at least 5-10 years. SSome patients develop liver cirrhosis and liver cancer at the same time. It turns out that only a small proportion of hepatitis B patients will eventually develop liver cancer.
What are the high risk factors for liver cancer?
Gender: Men are taller than women, the ratio of men to women is about 3:1
Age: Older people are younger than younger people and the peak incidence age is 45-55 years
Alcohol consumption: Alcoholics are affected significantly more often than non-drinkers
Regular intake of carcinogens: especially aflatoxin
Combined with other hepatitis virus infections: hepatitis C, hepatitis D virus
Sustained liver inflammatory activity: recurrent elevations in alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
Sustained high virus concentration: HbeAg positivity and high HBV DNA concentration (DNA > 20,000 IU/ml)
In addition, bad feelings and family history of liver cancer are also factors associated with the occurrence of liver cancer.
Rational use of antiviral drugs
Hepatitis B is a war that takes place in the liver, that is, a battle between the hepatitis B virus and human immune cells; Chronic hepatitis is such a tug of war between you and me. Long-term war leads to repeated inflammation and necrosis of liver tissue, and the liver repairs itself. During the process, fibrosis continues, and finally liver cirrhosis gradually forms, and some patients further develop into liver cancer.
This shows that it helps to avoid the malignant transmission chain “hepatitis B-cirrhosis-liver cancer”. We must first control the development of hepatitis and inhibit the massive multiplication of the hepatitis B virus. Therefore, anti-hepatitis B virus treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B is undoubtedly the most critical treatment at present. means.
Although the medications currently used against the hepatitis B virus can only suppress its spread. However, the use of antiviral drugs to inhibit viruses can reduce liver tissue inflammation, prevent and reduce liver fibrosis, inhibit these cancer-promoting factors, and also prevent liver cancer.
Fighting liver cancer starts with preventing hepatitis
Currently, the hepatitis B vaccine is widely used and is listed as an important part of childhood vaccination.
If hepatitis can be prevented, the incidence of liver cancer will certainly be reduced to some extent. It should be emphasized that the protection rate of hepatitis vaccination is 90-95%, but it may not be effective for a small number of people. After vaccination with the hepatitis B vaccine, surface antibodies against the hepatitis virus must be produced and the surface antibody titer must be above 10 IU/ml to prevent hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis antibody titers also decrease over time.
Therefore, people who have been vaccinated against hepatitis must continue to undergo regular physical examinations and screening for hepatitis B.
Regular physical exams to detect early signs of cancer
For people with hepatitis B, the purpose of regular physical exams is to find out the status of the hepatitis virus in their body, whether it is multiplying, whether it is high or low, and whether there is an infection.
If there is liver function damage and liver cirrhosis, early microprimary liver cancer can also be detected, and it can also be determined whether antiviral treatment is necessary.
Individuals with a history of hepatitis or HBsAg positive individuals, natural populations in areas with a high incidence of liver cancer. And people at high risk of liver cancer, such as those with a family history of liver cancer, should have a physical exam every six months. These include liver function, HBV DNA, alpha-fetoprotein and liver ultrasound. If active hepatitis, liver cirrhotic changes or liver cancer are detected, active treatment should be carried out.
Serum alpha-fetoprotein detection and liver ultrasound examination are currently inexpensive and effective early detection methods for liver cancer.
If you want to avoid the fate of liver cancer, don’t forget to take good care of your liver.
1. Pay attention to food hygiene: Improve the quality of drinking water, consistently avoid eating expired, moldy foods, and try to eat less pickled, smoked and grilled foods. These foods contain harmful factors such as aflatoxin and nitrosamines, which can damage the liver.
2. Do not drink or drink less: to avoid alcoholic hepatitis and damage to the detoxification function of the liver. Alcohol is the biggest risk factor for hepatitis patients to turn into liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is reported that the cancer rate of hepatitis patients who drink alcohol is three times higher than that of non-drinkers. It turns out that tobacco and alcohol are very harmful for hepatitis patients.
3. Prevent excessive fat intake: Increase physical activity to avoid the occurrence of liver cancer risk factors such as fatty liver and diabetes.
4. Keep a sensible schedule and don’t stay up late: Fatigue is the root of all illnesses. Overexertion can lead to illness. Long-term fatigue, especially staying up late, is not conducive to the liver’s rest and self-repair.
5. Increase your intake of fruits and Vegetables Also read: The free radical scavengers it contains can effectively prevent liver cancer.
6. Be happy and not angry: Anger damages the liver, and bad emotions can also cause great damage to the liver.
