biopsy staging - two different readings and pediatric vs adult MD for 14 yo?

[Guest guest]

Hi MightysMom

I am not a medical professional, but I would like to add my thoughts to your post, if that is ok.

Defination:

Bridging Heptic Fibrosis - area of liver fibrosis that bridges adjacent portal areas to central veins due to excess deposition of collagen determined by microscopic review of liver tissue sample.

http://www.drugs.com/dict/bridging-hepatic-fibrosis.html

You said -

- opinion [1] - fibrosis plus some bridging,

- opinion [2] - moderate inflamation and portal fibrosis

The second one doesnt use the word - 'bridging' - but it does indicate damage around the portal vein areas.

Both opinions could be basically interpeted the same way - 'some scarring [mild fibrosis], with some damage around the portal vein areas'.

MM, this is common to most people who have liver damage, I would think.

This is because the portal veins carry the most blood through the liver, thus the most damage will occure in these areas first.

Now this is my understanding, but like I say - I am not a medical professional.

When you go in to the 3rd place, ask them to take the time to explain it to you in laymans terms, so that you can understand it better.

Perhaps they even have some pictures that they can show you, so that you can get a visual.

-----------------------------

MightysMom, you are not putting your son through hell.

If anything, you may be saving your son's life, or saving him from far worse problems in the future.

Yes treatment can be hard, but think positive - your doing a good thing.

And wont both you and your son be glad if he does cure?

Now, how can anyone advise you about which doctors to see, or which treatment to do?

This is solely up to you all.

But if I were in your son's place, I think that I would want the best chance possible - the triple treatment, because my chances would be better for a possible cure.

And even though your son is only 14, he is almost the size of a full grown man.

Remember that the triple treatment still includes the Interferon and Ribavirin.

The only difference will be the added Protease Inhibitor.

Your son will still suffer the same side effects either way.....IF.....he has any sides.

'That' remains to be seen.

MightysMom, I personally respect you for trying to approach your son's illness with speed, and intelligence.

You are a super Mom, and your love for your child is very evident.

I would say that your on the right path.

love

don in ks

From: mightysmom <mightysmom@...>Subject: [ ] biopsy staging - two different readings and pediatric vs adult MD for 14 yo? Date: Friday, April 29, 2011, 8:52 PM

Hi,I just found out that the place I took my son for a second opinion read his biopsy and got different results......the results are better, but now I'm really confused. I know there are different scales. The first place scored 0-4 and the second 0-6. I know it's not the numbers, but the description of the damage that is most important. First place said stage 2-3 (fibrosis plus some bridging). Second place said stage 2 (moderate inflamation and portal fibrosis but NO bridging.)I've rulled out both of these hospitals as somewhere for treatment for various reasons. I really liked the 3rd. place we went to. They will be reading the biopsy themselves and I'll probably be more confident with their reading.OMG........Am I about to put my little boy through hell because of the wrong information????? That scares me to death. I'm waiting to get the slides back from

the second place to send them to the 3rd. We've now seen two adult hepatologists (one rulled out, one I liked), the original pediatric GI doc who recommended the biopsy (NOT going there for treatment), and will see two pediatric hepatologists next week. My son just turned 14 but is a big kid - 5' 6" and 160 pounds. If we have a choice of places(the pediatric expert at Hopkins said he needs all 3 drugs and some places won't prescribe the new drugs for a child, Hopkins won't take his insurance), I'm leaning towards an adult specialist because of thier familarity with the side effects of the drugs. Pediatric folks would know kids better, but I'm questioning if that matters as much as knowing the meds/side effect management/etc. Any info, suggestions, etc. on these two things would be greatly appreciated!MM------------------------------------MEMBERS WITH WEBSITES ABOUT

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