| "> | | | | About 80% of newly infected patients progress |
| The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by | | | | to develop chronic infection. Cirrhosis develops in |
| blood-to-blood contact. No vaccine against hepatitis | | | | about 10% to 20% of persons with chronic |
| C is available. The symptoms of infection can be | | | | infection, and liver cancer develops in 1% to 5% |
| medically managed, and a proportion of patients | | | | of persons with chronic infection over a period of |
| can be cleared of the virus by a long course of | | | | 20 to 30 years. Most patients suffering from liver |
| anti-viral medicines. Although early medical | | | | cancer who do not have hepatitis B virus infection |
| intervention is helpful, people with HCV infection | | | | have evidence of HCV infection. The mechanisms |
| often experience mild symptoms, and | | | | by which HCV infection leads to liver cancer are |
| consequently do not seek treatment. An | | | | still unclear. Hepatitis C also exacerbates the |
| estimated 150-200 million people worldwide are | | | | severity of underlying liver disease when it |
| infected with hepatitis C. | | | | coexists with other hepatic conditions. |