The management of both compensated and decompensated progressed to cirrhosis is estimated to be 20% to 30%. 1 In addition to patients who present with symptoms or signs cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C must be viewed in the context of the natural history of the disease. The prognosis of compen-of chronic hepatitis C, a proportion present initially with complications of cirrhosis such as variceal bleeding, ascites, sated cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C is relatively good. In a recent retrospective study, after 5 years of follow-up evalua-or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). For countries in North America and Europe with a prevalence of chronic HCV infection, 18% of patients had developed hepatic decompensation and 7% hepatocellular carcinoma. Overall 5-year survival rate tion in the general population of 0.5% to 2%, one can estimate that at least 0.1% (1,000 per million) of the population was 91%. Treatment with alpha interferon appears to decrease the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients who have cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C.Spontaneous resolution of disease and loss of viral replicaachieve a sustained remission. However, on an intention-totreat basis and after adjustment for differences in clinical tion is rare during the course of chronic hepatitis C. 2 Accordingly, patients with cirrhosis caused by HCV are likely to and serological features at entry, interferon therapy does not correlate with a reduced incidence of liver cancer or improved progress steadily, eventually developing complications of hepatic failure or HCC or require liver transplantation. Death survival. Combined analysis of multiple large studies on patients with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C indicates that cur-from liver-related causes has been shown to account for 70% of the mortality in patients with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis rent regimens of alpha interferon (3 to 6 million units three times weekly for 6 to 12 months) result in a sustained bio-C, 3 compared with only 3% of patients overall with hepatitis C. 4 The patient with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C constichemical response in 9% of patients. The rates of sustained virological responses are less well documented. Virological tutes an important therapeutic challenge.The management of both compensated and decompenmeasurements during therapy show that only 22% of patients become hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA negative by 4 weeks sated cirrhosis should be viewed in the context of the natural history of the disease. Recent reports have suggested that and, thereafter, there is a high rate of breakthrough. In small studies, the combination of interferon and ribavirin leads to alpha interferon therapy may reduce the risk of HCC in patients with cirrhosis. 5 At the same time, interferon is rarely sustained biochemical and virological response rates of 21%, more than twice the rates achieved with interferon alone. The effective in inducing lasting remissions in patients with preexisting cirrhosis. Thus, the role of alpha interferon therapy prognosis of decompensated cirrhosis c...