Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Are Liver biopsies Necessary??
Yes, you do it is vital in caring for HCV. Don't worry, I am a chicken and I can tell you, I loved my biopsy... Just ask for a valium drip and you won't care if they take the entire liver out. Liver biopsy—The best way to measure the extent of liver damage is with a liver biopsy. This is a procedure in which a tiny sample of tissue from the liver is removed and examined in a laboratory. Liver biopsies are also important in ruling out any other forms of liver disease.
Today, liver biopsies are performed as outpatient procedures. General anesthesia is not necessary. Patients receive local anesthesia at the area where the needle will be inserted. Although the test itself only takes a few seconds, you may be monitored at the testing facility for several hours. Patients often describe the sensation they experience during the test as a feeling of strong pressure on the spot where the tissue is removed. Patients may feel tired after the test, so it is a good idea to schedule some rest time after having a biopsy.
The degree of liver damage measured from a liver biopsy is scored in stages:
Stage I—In the earliest stage of liver damage, the liver is inflamed (immune cells called lymphocytes are present), but scarring has not yet occurred. There is little damage to the liver at this point.
Stage II—In this early stage of liver damage, the liver is inflamed and scarring (fibrosis) has begun to form in one part of the liver.
Stage III—In this stage, scar tissue from one area of the liver bridges (connects) to scar tissue from other areas, leading to advanced fibrosis. This reduces the liver's ability to circulate blood and remove toxins.
Stage IV—In this advanced stage of liver damage, cirrhosis (advanced scarring) has occurred, which significantly impairs the liver's ability to function properly. At this point, the degree of damage to the liver is very serious.
The goals of therapy for hepatitis C are to delay or halt disease progression by:
delaying the progression of scarring
preventing cirrhosis
preventing liver cancer
In order to track the progression of the disease, your doctor may perform a liver biopsy every 3 to 5 years. A liver biopsy is an essential tool in monitoring hepatitis C. Other Tests—Healthcare professionals may use a variety of other blood tests and noninvasive liver imaging tests to monitor the progression of hepatitis C. Common blood tests include blood chemistry panels, platelet counts, and prothrombin times (PTs). Imaging tests may include ultrasounds and CT scans. MRIs may be ordered to diagnose liver cancer. However, none of these tests alone, or in combination, can fully measure the degree of liver damage, or fibrosis.
Today, liver biopsies are performed as outpatient procedures. General anesthesia is not necessary. Patients receive local anesthesia at the area where the needle will be inserted. Although the test itself only takes a few seconds, you may be monitored at the testing facility for several hours. Patients often describe the sensation they experience during the test as a feeling of strong pressure on the spot where the tissue is removed. Patients may feel tired after the test, so it is a good idea to schedule some rest time after having a biopsy.
The degree of liver damage measured from a liver biopsy is scored in stages:
Stage I—In the earliest stage of liver damage, the liver is inflamed (immune cells called lymphocytes are present), but scarring has not yet occurred. There is little damage to the liver at this point.
Stage II—In this early stage of liver damage, the liver is inflamed and scarring (fibrosis) has begun to form in one part of the liver.
Stage III—In this stage, scar tissue from one area of the liver bridges (connects) to scar tissue from other areas, leading to advanced fibrosis. This reduces the liver's ability to circulate blood and remove toxins.
Stage IV—In this advanced stage of liver damage, cirrhosis (advanced scarring) has occurred, which significantly impairs the liver's ability to function properly. At this point, the degree of damage to the liver is very serious.
The goals of therapy for hepatitis C are to delay or halt disease progression by:
delaying the progression of scarring
preventing cirrhosis
preventing liver cancer
In order to track the progression of the disease, your doctor may perform a liver biopsy every 3 to 5 years. A liver biopsy is an essential tool in monitoring hepatitis C. Other Tests—Healthcare professionals may use a variety of other blood tests and noninvasive liver imaging tests to monitor the progression of hepatitis C. Common blood tests include blood chemistry panels, platelet counts, and prothrombin times (PTs). Imaging tests may include ultrasounds and CT scans. MRIs may be ordered to diagnose liver cancer. However, none of these tests alone, or in combination, can fully measure the degree of liver damage, or fibrosis.
# posted by Joyfulstill @ 2:02 PM 
