A Case of Extrahepatic Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma to the Pronator Quadratus Muscle of Right Wrist

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is usually associated with chronic liver disease such as liver cirrhosis. Primary HCC lesions and even recurrent intrahepatic lesions can be treated successfully by using variable modalities applicable to intrahepatic lesions. HCC can cause intrahepatic multiple occurrence and extrahepatic metastasis. Extrahepatic metastasis occurs in up to about 60% of patients of HCC, and a major of patients with extrahepatic HCC had late intrahepatic stage of tumor. Themost frequent site of extrahepatic metastasis of HCC was the lung. HCC metastasized to soft tissues was unusually reported. Extrahepatic metastasis of HCC, especially to unusual site, should not be overlooked and must be able to be controlled. We experienced a case that HCC was metastasized to the pronator quadratus muscle of right wrist and chould be removed surgically.

Spontaneous Regression of Recurred Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Multiple Lung Metastases

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver malignancy. Spontaneous regression of HCC is extremely rare phenomenon and mechanism of regression remains ob-scure. 75-year-old woman previously diagnosed with hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis was found to have single mass in liver with elevation of alpha-fetoprotein level to 10,320 ng/mL. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was performed. 27 months after TACE recurred HCC with multiple lung nodules were confirmed. The patient refused any therapeutic modality. The patient underwent follow-up without any anti-cancer treatment. 8 months after recur-rence follow up computed tomography scan revealed spontaneous regression of HCC and completely disappeared lung nodules. The patient is currently doing well and without any evidence of recurrence. The causes of spontaneous regression of HCC are not well understood. Proposed mechanisms are ischemic injury, biological factors, herbal medicine, immunological variations. Further studies are necessary to improve our understanding of this rare phenom-enon.

3 Cases of Portal Vein Thrombosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Liver Cirrhosis Treated with Anticoagulation

The reported prevalence of PVT is in the range of 0.6-15.8% in patient with liver cirrhosis or portal hypertension. If the patient has hepatocellular carcinoma, thrombus is likely to be malignant thrombus. Malignancy, frequently of hepatic origin, is responsible for 21-24% of over all cases. The overall mortality rate of chronic PVT has been reported to be less than 10%, but is increased to 26% when associated with hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis. However, no treatment guideline has been established on anticoagulant therapy for PVT in patients with concomitant hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis. Because actually it is not easy to distinguish between malignant thrombus and benign thrombus in clinical aspect, PVT in hepatocellular carcinoma are still debatable whether or not treatment when it diagnosed. We present 3 cases of portal vein thrombosis successfully treated with anticoagulation in hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis, and we include a literature review.

Prognostic Significance of p53, mTOR, c-Met, IGF-1R, and HSP70 Overexpression after the Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The current study examines the expression of molecular biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and whether these findings correlate with the clinicopathologic features of the disease and patient survival. METHODS: We analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of p53, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), c-Met, and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) with the clinicopathologic features of 83 HCCs. RESULTS: p53 expression was higher in the male patients with undifferentiated histological tumor grades, cirrhosis, and portal vein invasion. High 48 c-Met expression correlated with cirrhosis, and high mTOR expression correlated with the tumor grade and cirrhosis. High IGF-1R expression correlated with the tumor grade and cirrhosis. A multivariate analysis identified a significant relationship between the high expression of p53, tumor grade, and portal vein invasion. In addition, a high expression of mTOR was related to tumor grade and cirrhosis, and a high expression of HSP70 was related to portal vein invasion in a multivariate analysis. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve for patients with high versus low Edmondson grades and p53 expression was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: p53, mTOR, and IGF-1R expression correlated with the Edmondson tumor grade in a univariate analysis, while p53 and mTOR correlated with the Edmondson tumor grade in a multivariate analysis. In addition, the tumor grade was found to predict survival. p53 was primarily related to the clinicopathologic features compared to other markers, and it is a poor prognostic factor of survival.

Clinical Efficacy of Entecavir and Factors Predicting Long-Term Treatment Response in Nucleoside-Naive Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aims of this study were to characterize the treatment response to entecavir and to examine factors affecting that response. METHODS: A total of 77 nucleoside-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B who had received entecavir (0.5 mg daily) for at least 48 weeks were consecutively enrolled between March 2007 and March 2011. The rates of virological response (hepatitis B virus [HBV] DNA < 116 copies/mL), biochemical response (alanine aminotransferase < or = upper limit of normal), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) loss, and seroconversion were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The cumulative rates of virological response at 12, 24, 48, 96, and 144 weeks were 59.7%, 82%, 88.3%, 89.6%, and 93.1%, respectively; biochemical response rates were 51.9%, 74%, 84.4%, 94.8%, and 98.3%, respectively; HBeAg loss rates were 10.5%, 18.4%, 28.9%, 36.8%, and 47.4%, respectively; and HBeAg seroconversion rates were 7.9%, 18.4%, 21.1%, 28.9%, and 39.5%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, independent predictors associated with HBV DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) negativity were the absence of HBeAg at baseline (p = 0.006) and early virological response (HBV DNA < 2,000 copies/mL after 12 weeks of therapy; p = 0.027). In univariate analysis, early virological response was an independent factor predicting HBeAg loss (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Entecavir induced excellent biochemical and virological responses in nucleoside-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B. Early virological response was an independent factor predicting HBV PCR negativity and HBeAg loss, and can be used to predict long-term treatment response to entecavir.

A Case of Liver Fibrosis with Splenomegaly after Oxaliplatin-Based Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer

Previous studies reported that oxaliplatin is associated with sinusoidal obstruction syndrome. However few reports on oxaliplatin induced liver fibrosis are found in the literature. Furthermore pathogenesis of liver fibrosis is not well known. We report a case of 45-yr-old Korean man in whom liver fibrosis with splenomegaly developed after 12 cycles of oxaliplatin based adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer (T4N2M0). Thorough history taking and serological examination revealed no evidence of chronic liver disease. Restaging CT scans demonstrated a good response to chemotherapy. Five month after chemotherapy, he underwent right hepatectomy due to isolated metastatic lesion. The liver parenchyma showed diffuse sinusoidal dilatation and centrilobular vein fibrosis with necrosis without steatosis. We could conclude that splenomegaly was due to perisinusoidal liver fibrosis and liver cell necrosis induced portal hypertension by oxaliplatin. In addition, to investigate the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, immunohistochemical stains such as CD31 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) were conducted with control group. The immunohistochemical stains for CD31 and alpha-SMA were positive along the sinusoidal space in the patient, while negative in the control group. Chemotherapy with oxaliplatin induces liver fibrosis which should be kept in mind as a serious complication.

A Case of Needle-Track Implantation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Chest Wall after Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation / 대한내과학회지

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a popular technique and shows excellent local tumor control and acceptable morbidity. Although RFA is considered much safer than surgical treatment, it is not a complication-free procedure. The most common complications of percutaneous RFA areabdominal hemorrhage, abdominal infection (abscess), biliary tract damage, and ground-pad burns. Laparoscopic RFA (LRFA) is a safe, feasible treatment modality to achieve tumor destruction. LRFA has proven superior to the percutaneous approach for lesions that are difficult or impossible to treat percutaneously. Needle-track implantationafter LRFA is a rare complication in HCCs. We report a case of needle-tract implantation of HCC found in the chest wall, ribs,and diaphragm 11 months after LRFA in a 49-year-old man. Although treatment for needle-track implantation is not well established, the metastatic mass was surgically removed.

The retrospective cohort study for survival rate in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma receiving radiotherapy or palliative care / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was conducted to investigate the assessment of treatment efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) and other therapeutic modalities compared with palliative care only for treatment with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: From 2002 to 2010, based on the case of 47 patients with advanced HCC, we have investigated each patients' Child-Pugh's class, ECOG performance, serum level of alpha fetoprotein and other baseline characteristics that is considered to be predictive variables and values for prognosis of HCC. Out of overall patients, the 29 patients who had received RT were selected for one group and the 18 patients who had received only palliative care were classified for the other. The analysis in survival between the two groups was done to investigate the efficacy of RT. RESULTS: Under the analysis in survival, the mean survival time of total patients group was revealed between 30.1 months and 45.9 months in RT group, while it was 4.8 months in palliative care group, respectively. In the univariate analysis for overall patients, there were significant factors which affected survival rate like as follows: ECOG performance, Child-Pugh's class, the tumor size, the type of tumor, alpha fetoprotein, transarterial chemoembolization, and RT. The regressive analysis in multivariate Cox for total patients. No treatment under radiotherapy and high level of Child-Pugh's class grade were independent predictors of worse overall survival rate in patients. In contrast, for the subset analysis of the twenty-nine patients treated with radiotherapy, the higher serum level of alpha fetoprotein was an independent predictors of worse overall survival rate in patients. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the survival of patients with advanced HCC was better with radiotherapy than with palliative care. Therefore, radiotherapy could be a good option for in patients with advanced HCC.

Importance of Medication Adherence to Peginterferon-Ribavirin Combination Therapy in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The combination therapy with peginterferon and ribavirin is a standard treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, because of the long duration of the treatment and many complications, the reduction of adherence frequently occur. This study aimed to assess influences of reduced medication adherence in the combination therapy of chronic hepatitis C patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 82 patients with chronic hepatitis C who received a combination therapy with peginterferon and ribavirin. The patients were categorized into 3 subgroups on the basis of medication adherence. Group 1 comprised patients who received > or =80% of the recommended dosage of both peginterferon and ribavirin. Group 2 comprised those patients who received > or =80% of the recommended dosage of only 1 drug. The patients of Group 3 received <80% of the recommended dosage of both the drugs. RESULTS: Sustained virologic response (SVR)s of patients in Group 1, 2 and 3 were 85.4% (41/48), 85.7% (18/21), and 38.5% (5/13), respectively (p=0.002). SVRs of genotype 1 patients in Group 1, 2 and 3 were 84.2% (16/19), 75% (9/12), and 14.3% (1/7) , respectively (p=0.003). SVRs of genotype non-1 patients in Group 1, 2 and 3 were 86.2% (25/29), 100% (9/9), and 66.7% (4/6), respectively (p=0.196). Furthermore are SVRs significantly differed with the degree of medication adherence to either peginterferon or ribavirin (p=0.003 and 0.021, respectively). In multivariate analysis, the peginterferon dose was a significant independent factor associated with SVR. CONCLUSIONS: Medication adherence of chronic hepatitis C patients to the combination therapy with peginterferon and ribavirin is very important for achieving SVR. In particular, we think that genotype 1 patients should maintain higher adherence than genotype non-1 patients.

A Case of POEMS Syndrome Associated with Idiopathic Liver Cirrhosis / 대한내과학회지

POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy and skin lesion) is rare multisystem disease of unknown cause with varying clinical manifestations. Although there is no established definition for this syndrome, the common classical features are considered to be secondary to the plasma cell dyscrasia with the production of a monoclonal component. Anasarca, including ascites, peripheral edema, and pleural effusion, occurs frequently in POEMS syndrome, but cases with idiopathic liver cirrhosis are rarely reported. We experienced a 73-year-old female with POEMS syndrome whose main problem was massive ascites. It is the first report of idiopathic liver cirrhosis in a patient with POEMS syndrome in Korea.

Clinical features of 28 acutely toxic hepatitis patients who ingested Dictamnus dasycarpus: A single center clinical experience / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features of acutely toxic hepatitis associated with ingesting Dictamnus dasycarpus (D. dasycarpus). METHODS: Between January 2004 and July 2009, 28 patients were enrolled in this study. We reviewed the medical records retrospectively. Acutely toxic hepatitis associated with D. dasycarpus was diagnosed by a Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method Values (RUCAM) score of 6 or above. All patients were tested for viral hepatitis A, B, C, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus. Other tests included anti-nuclear antibody, anti-mitochondrial antibody, and anti-smooth muscle antibody. Abdominal pelvic computed tomography was performed. RESULTS: The incidence was female predominant (64% vs. 36%). The mean patient age was 53.0+/-11 years. The symptoms were jaundice (68%), fatigue (57%), nausea (43%), anorexia (43%), and abdominal pain (24%). The mean RUCAM score was 7.0+/-0.8. The biochemical patterns of hepatotoxicity were hepatocellular (n=23, 82%) and mixed types (n=5, 18%). Radiologic findings were as follows: normal findings (29%), lymphadenopathy (50%), edema of the gall bladder wall (46%), periportal edema (43%), splenomegaly (11%), fatty liver (11%), and ascites (7%). The mean hospitalization period was 21.6+/-11.6 days. The mean duration of recovery from hepatitis was 56.6+/-30.4 days, and all patients recovered completely from the toxic hepatitis. One patient who had severe jaundice developed a complication of pure red cell aplasia during the hospitalization period. CONCLUSIONS: The biochemical pattern of liver injury was hepatocellular predominant. Although the initial manifestations and clinical course were variable, all patients completely recovered with supportive care or steroid treatment. Toxic hepatitis was accompanied by pure red cell aplasia in one patient.

A Case of Gastric Undifferentiated Carcinoma with Choriocarcinomatous and Hepatoid Carcinomatous Differentiation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Here we report a case of a patient with gastric undifferentiated carcinoma associated with choriocarcinomatous and hepatoid carcinomatous differentiation. A 62-year-old man was referred after a healthcare screening gastroscopy. Gastroscopy revealed an approximately 3x3 cm ulcerofungating mass in the posterior wall of the antrum. Biopsy results revealed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. The initial serum alpha-FP levels were above 350 ng/mL. An abdominal CT scan revealed focal wall thickening along the greater curvature of the gastric antrum, with perigastric fat invasion and enlarged multiple perigastric lymph nodes. He underwent a palliative radical subtotal gastrectomy and gastroduodenostomy with dissection of the enlarged lymph nodes. Postsurgical histological examination revealed an undifferentiated carcinoma associated with choriocarcinomatous and hepatoid carcinomatous differentiation. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the tumor cells were positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), alpha-FP, and anti-hepatocyte antibody.

Efficacy of Initial Treatment with Clevudine in Naive Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Clevudine, a pyrimidine nucleoside analogue, has potent antiviral effects in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B (CHB). We report the efficacy of initial treatment with clevudine in naive patients with CHB living in Daejeon and Chungcheong Province, South Korea. METHODS: One hundred five adults with CHB were administered 30 mg of clevudine per day for an average of 51 weeks. We evaluated viral markers and liver biochemistry retrospectively every 3 months. RESULTS: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA before the treatment were 184 +/- 188 IU/L, 150 +/- 138 IU/L, and 7.1 +/- 1.2 log copies/mL, respectively. Undetectable rates (< 60 IU/mL) of DNA were 36.2%, 68.9%, 83.6%, 76.2%, and 75.8% at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 weeks, respectively. Seroconversion rates were 9.1%, 13.6%, 24.6%, 26.5%, and 26.1% and ALT normalization rates were 64.5%, 78.1%, 87.9%, 90.0% at 12, 24, 36, and 48 weeks, respectively. Six patients (5.7%) had a viral breakthrough. CONCLUSIONS: Clevudine is a useful drug in the initial treatment of patients with CHB, with a potent antiviral effect and low incidence of viral breakthrough.

A case of concomitant Gilbert's syndrome and hereditary spherocytosis / 대한간학회지

We describe moderate hyperbilirubinemia in a 28-year-old man who suffered from gallstones and splenomegaly, with combined disorders of hereditary spherocytosis (HS) and Gilbert's syndrome (GS). Since it is difficult to diagnose HS in the absence of signs of anemia, we evaluated both the genetic mutation in the UGT1A1 gene and abnormalities in the erythrocyte membrane protein; the former was heterozygous for a UGT1A1 allele with three mutations and the latter was partially deficient in ankyrin expression. This is the first report of the concomitance of HS and GS with three heterozygous mutations [T-3279G, A (TA)7TAA, and G211A] in the UGT1A1 gene.

Distal Cholangiocarcinoma with Gastric Metastasis Mimicking Early Gastric Cancer

We report an unusual case of distal cholangiocarcinoma with gastric metastasis mimicking early gastric cancer. A 67-year-old woman presented with a 4- month history of abdominal pain after eating. Computed tomography showed a malignant tumor of the common bile duct located just above the intrapancreatic segment, and endoscopy revealed a 2-cm, flat, elevated lesion with convergence of the surrounding folds, situated at the gastric angle. Based on the endoscopic biopsy results, an adenocarcinoma, thought to be an early gastric cancer, was diagnosed. The patient underwent Whipples's operation. Histopathological findings showed that the adenocarcinomatous tissue was clearly demarcated and infiltrated the gastric mucosa and submucosa, leaving the gastric superficial mucosa intact. Both tumors showed similar pathological features and were positive for cytokeratin (CK)-19 and CK-7. These finding suggest distal cholangiocarcinoma with gastric metastasis.

The effect of curative surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the effect and prognostic factors related to curative surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 53 patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer who were treated at Chungnam National University Hospital between 1998 and 2005. 18 patients (Group 1) were managed with percutaneous bile drainage (n=13) or endoscopic bile drainage (n=5), 17 patients (Group 2) underwent only curative resection, and 18 patients (Group 3) received radiotherapy after curative resection. The radio-sensitizer used in these patients was 5-FU. RESULTS: Three-year overall survival was 5.6% in group 1, 64.7% in group 2, and 61.1% in group 3, with no significant difference noted between group 2 and group 3. The disease-free survival rate was 64.7% in group 2 and 66.7% in group 3, with no significant difference noted between the two groups. We evaluated age, sex, differentiation, tumor location, perineural invasion, operative method, lymphovascular tumor emboli, T stage, and N stage as possible prognostic factors. T stage, N stage, and operative method were significant factors in group 2, but age was the only significant factor in group 3. Group 2 patients had longer overall survival than did group 3 patients with well-differentiated cancer, but group 3 patients had longer survival than did group 2 patients with lymph node metastasis. The recurrence rate was 34.3% (mean value) and was no different between group 2 and group 3. Recurrence sites included local tissue, such as liver, and regional lymph nodes. There were no serious complications during radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent curative surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy after surgery had no statistically significant difference in survival or recurrent rates. However, curative surgery is considered to be the only method to improve survival. Our results suggest that radiotherapy after curative resection may improve survival in patients with lymph node metastasis.

A Case of a Foreign Body in the Common Bile Duct Caused by Lipiodol / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Finding a foreign body in the common bile duct (CBD) is very rare. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been widely used for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic liver tumors, and especially when the tumors are not surgically resectable. We experienced a patient with a CBD foreign body 47 days after performing TACE for single hepatic metastasis of adrenal cortical carcinoma. The foreign body in the common bile duct was high attenuated on the pre-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and it was not observed on the previous CT. We successfully extracted it via a basket after performing endoscopic sphincterotomy; this foreign body was dark black color, flexible and smooth. It was not observed on the follow-up CT scan after one month. The foreign body in the common bile duct was tumor tissue that contained lipiodol and it was near the bile duct. We report here on a rare case of a foreign body in the common bile duct, and it was caused by lipiodol after performing TACE.

A case of cholestatic hepatitis by Epstein-Barr virus infection / 대한내과학회지

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a rare causative agent of acute hepatitis during the course of infectious mononucleosis. EBV-associated hepatitis is usually mild and it resolves without serious complications. Clinically long-standing jaundice with a high bilirubin level (greater than 6.0 mg/dL and longer than 6 weeks) is extremely rare. We recently experienced a-16-yr-old man with long-standing severe jaundice (peak: 21 mg/dL, duration: 16weeks) that was caused by EBV in the absence of any other common features of infectious mononucleosis. EBV infection was demonstrated by serologic testing that showed positive IgM anti-EBV VCA (viral capsid antigen). We also confirmed that the liver was the primary site of EBV infection by in situ hybridization, which was performed on the liver tissues. The patient recovered completely without complications after 16 weeks with only supportive care. We report here on this case along with a literature review. EBV-associated hepatitis can occur with severe long-standing hyperbilirubinemia as an unusual manifestation.

Clinical characteristics of 159 cases of acute toxic hepatitis / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Toxic hepatitis has recently been discovered to be a major cause of acute hepatitis. We studied the clinical features and prognosis of patients diagnosed with toxic hepatitis at a single institution. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using medical records of 159 cases of toxic hepatitis that were diagnosed from March 2003 to March 2008. Patients were selected based on a RUCAM score of 4 or above. RESULTS: The incidence was higher in women (n=97) than in men (n=62). The age (mean+/-SD) of the patients was 51+/-15 years . The major causes of the disease included the use of Korean traditional therapeutic preparations (34.0%), herbal medicines (41.5%), and drugs prescribed by a physician (23.9%). At the time of admission, jaundice was the most common symptom (41.5%), and the results of a liver serum battery were as follows: aspartate aminotransferase, 729.4+/-877.0 IU/L; alanine aminotransferase, 857.1+/-683.0 IU/L; total bilirubin, 6.4+/-6.5 mg/dL; and alkaline phosphatase, 209.8+/-130.0 IU/L. The hospitalization period was 10.0+/-9.5 days, and the duration of recovery from liver injury was 31.0+/-29.5 days. The factors associated with the hospitalization period included the presence of anorexia and the serum levels of albumin and bilirubin at the time of admission (P<0.05). A high serum bilirubin level and a history of alcohol ingestion were associated with a delayed recovery (Plt;0.05). The sex, age, BMI, and duration of medication were not significantly related to the hospitalization and recovery periods. CONCLUSIONS: The main cause of acute toxic hepatitis in the current study was the use of herbal medicines. The severity of liver injury at the time of admission was a major factor significantly associated with the hospitalization and recovery periods.

Efficacy of initial treatment with peginterferon alpha-2a versus peginterferon alpha-2b in combination with ribavirin in naive chronic hepatitis C patients living in Daejeon and Chungcheong Province in Korea: A comparative study / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Peginterferon alpha-2a or -2b is the standard treatment regimen in chronic hepatitis C. However, there have been few comparative studies of the efficacies of these two types of peginterferon. We evaluated their efficacies in combination with ribavirin as a initial treatment for chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients were treated with peginterferon alpha-2a (180 microgram/week, n=48) or peginterferon alpha-2b (1.5 microgram/kg/week, n=49) plus ribavirin (800 mg/day for 24 weeks in genotype non-1 or 1,000-1,200 mg/day for 48 weeks in genotype 1). Virologic responses including the early virologic response (EVR), end-of-treatment response (ETR), sustained virologic response (SVR), and adverse effects were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The virologic response rates did not differ significantly between peginterferon alpha-2a and -2b: 89.6% and 89.7% for EVR, 79.2% and 79.5% for ETR, 72.9% and 73.5% for SVR, respectively. Analysis of the virologic responses according to genotype also revealed no significant differences in SVR between peginterferon alpha-2a and -2b (59.3% vs. 59.7% for genotype 1 and 90.5% vs. 83.3% for genotype non-1, respectively), or in adverse effects including flu-like symptom, rash, itching, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant differences in therapeutic efficacies and adverse effects between the alpha-2a and -2b types of peginterferon as the initial treatment regimen in naive chronic hepatitis C patients.