Prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic active hepatitis C and cirrhosis

In a prospective randomised controlled study, 90 patients with chronic active hepatitis C and compensated cirrhosis were assigned symptomatic treatment or interferon alfa (IFN-α). We report data on decompensation, detection of hepatocellular carcinoma, and mortality rates. IFN-α gave a sustained response in only a small proportion of patients, but worsening of compensated cirrhosis was prevented and development of hepatocellular carcinoma was inhibited, increasing the survival rate. The risk ratio of IFN-α versus symptomatic treatment decreased by 0·250 for progression to Child-Pugh grade B, 0·256 for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma, and 0·135 for a fatal outcome.