Can hepatitis C infection cause liver cancer?

The risk is linked mainly to infection that persists and causes ongoing inflammation, scarring or cirrhosis. Having hepatitis C does not mean that liver cancer will develop.

Hepatitis C infects liver cells. If the immune system does not clear the virus, inflammation can continue for years and healthy liver tissue may gradually be replaced by scar tissue. Advanced scarring is called cirrhosis. Repeated cell injury and repair can allow abnormal cells to develop into liver cancer.

Hepatitis C may cause little or no discomfort while liver damage is developing. Blood tests can confirm active infection, while blood work and liver imaging help assess injury. A clinician may also use a non-invasive stiffness test to estimate scarring.

Arrange hepatitis C testing if you may have been exposed or previously received a positive antibody result. An RNA test is used to find out whether the virus is currently present. Antiviral medicines can clear the infection in many people and help prevent further virus-driven liver injury.

After treatment, follow the monitoring plan based on how much liver scarring you have. People with cirrhosis may still need regular liver imaging even after the virus has cleared because cancer risk can remain. Avoid alcohol if advised, discuss medicines and supplements that could affect the liver, and keep appointments for blood tests or scans.

Book a medical review if you know you have hepatitis C but have not had treatment, or if follow-up stopped after treatment. New yellowing of the eyes or skin, increasing abdominal swelling, unexplained weight loss, persistent pain in the upper right abdomen or unusual weakness needs prompt assessment.

Seek urgent care for vomiting blood, black stools, sudden confusion, severe drowsiness or rapidly worsening abdominal swelling. These can signal serious complications of liver disease and should not wait for a routine appointment.

Ask whether your tests show an active hepatitis C infection, whether there is evidence of fibrosis or cirrhosis, which antiviral treatment fits your health needs, and whether you need ongoing liver-cancer surveillance after treatment. Also ask which symptoms should trigger an earlier review.