“Please note this: while most HCC expresses AFP and therefore can be detected by an AFP blood test it is possible to have HCC with a normal AFP. Rare but possible. High risk patients with cirrhosis should have 6 monthly screening with U/S (or CT or MRI)”

My AFP was 30 prior to treatment with DAA’s from Oct 2015. It had been up for a long time before that and my GP asked me to get an ultrasound in 2012 which found a golf ball size HCC keeping me quiet company. The HCC developed after 2008 as I had a scan then.

Since DAA’s, the AFP has been down; and since the HCC surgery I have been getting scans each 6 months – U/S and CT in turn.

In my case I think the AFP was a good marker for the HCC, and I always make sure it is included in the blood test referral and ask after. In fact raised AFP was the main reason I sought out generics in late 2015 – my reasoning was that if a raised AFP could indicate either active HCV or a HCC, then rid of the HCV.

I don’t think it is really that simple though, between EOT last time round and subsequent HCV recurrence, the AFP was down. Maybe the liver repaired itself along the way?

Yours

Jeff

Still waiting for 12 weeks EOT second time round – will find out in June, fingers crossed.