Hepatitis C virus relapse after successful treatment with direct-acting antivirals, followed by sarcomatous changes in hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report

ConclusionsAlthough sustained virologic response at 24 weeks has generally been regarded to denote complete eradication of hepatitis C virus, we present a patient in whom hepatitis C virus recurred 6  months after achieving sustained virologic response at 24 weeks with direct-acting antiviral therapy. In addition, a sarcomatous change in hepatocellular carcinoma emerged 5 months after active hepatitis developed due to late hepatitis C virus relapse in this case. The sarcomatous change in hep atocellular carcinoma is generally thought to be related to anticancer therapies, such as radiofrequency ablation. However, in this case, late viral relapse and active hepatitis in addition to the previous radiofrequency ablation could have been the trigger. There may be a need for follow-up of hepa titis C virus ribonucleic acid beyond sustained virologic response at 24 weeks with direct-acting antiviral therapy, owing to the possibility of late viral relapse and tumorigenesis.
Source: Journal of Medical Case Reports - Category: General Medicine Source Type: research