Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in Pakistan [1]. Globally, an estimated 170 million people are infected with HCV, with approximately 3-4 million new cases each year [2][3]. Currently, the prevalence of HCV in Pakistan is 4-7% [4][5][6]. HCV is a hepatotropic virus that causes chronic hepatitis in at least 80% of infected individuals. If untreated, 20-30% of the cases will eventually develop cirrhosis, with average latency of 15-25 years, and hepatocellular carcinoma, at the rate of 1-5% per year and average latency of 20-30 years [3][7].