What are the chances of someone with HCV infection developing cirrhosis or liver

cancer?
Of every 100 people infected with HCV, approximately 5–25 will develop
cirrhosis within 10–20 years. Patients who develop cirrhosis have a 1%–4%
annual risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma and a 3%–6% annual risk
of hepatic decompensation; for the latter patients, the risk of death in the
following year is 15%–20% (7).
Who is more likely to develop cirrhosis after becoming infected with HCV?
Rates of progression to cirrhosis are increased in the presence of a variety of
factors, including
 Being male
 Being age >50 years
 Consuming alcohol
 Having nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis B, or HIV coinfection
 Receiving immunosuppressive therapy (6,7,8)
How many different genotypes of HCV exist?
Seven HCV genotypes and 67 subtypes have been identified (9).
Which HCV genotypes are found in the United States?
Genotypes 1a, 1b, 2, and 3 are the most common HCV genotypes in the
United States (10,11,12).
Can superinfection with more than one HCV genotype occur?
Superinfection is possible if risk behaviors for HCV infection (e.g., injection-
drug use) continue; however, superinfection does not appear to complicate
decisions regarding treatment, because HCV antivirals with pan-genotypic
activity are available