To the Editor: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the
most frequent etiologic factor for non-A and non-B chronic hepatitis
worldwide; moreover, a constellation of extrahepatic manifestations has
been described in individuals infected with HCV.1 Because
of its lymphotropism,2 HCV can represent a chronic stimulus
for the immune system leading to a variety of autoimmune and
lymphoproliferative disorders such as mixed cryoglobulinemia,
membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, B-cell lymphomas, and
autoimmune thyroiditis.1,3-5 Thyroiditis is frequently
found in patients with type C chronic hepatitis during interferon
therapy.5 Moreover, thyroiditis can be regarded as
preneoplastic condition.6 We report the prevalence of
thyroid cancer in a series of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.