HCV Infection Linked to Nonhepatic Cancers in the Elderly

HCV Infection Linked to Nonhepatic Cancers in the Elderly
Crystal Wong, MD
Chronic HCV infection is a known cause of HCC and B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs), but epidemiologic data suggest that HCV may be associated with cancers involving the kidney, oropharynx, and bile duct. HCV antigens and RNA have been identified in some of these cancers, but the exact role of the virus in oncogenesis is unclear. Since the majority of patients with HCV infection were born in the “baby boomer” era, HCV-associated cancers may present a potential public health issue as the baby boomer population ages.

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