Histopathologic consideration of hepatocellular carcinoma

Nam, Hae Joo; Kim, Dong Suk; Choi, Won Hee; Lee, Tae Sook

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma represents approximately 90% of the primary liver cancers. Recently, its incidence tends to be increased. Thirsty seven cases from 1986 to 1991 diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma by resection were analyzed to know their histopathologic feature and related clinical findings. The average age at the time of resection was 53.1 years, with frequent occurrence in third and fourth decades. Microscopically, the trabecular type was the most frequent growth pattern (35.1%) and classic hepatocyte-like cell type was the most frequent cell type (75.7%). The tumors are mainly moderately differentiated and frequently associated with liver cirrhosis. In comparison of cytological differentiation with liver cirrhosis, there was a tendency for well-differentiated tumors to arise in cirrhotic livers more often than poorly differentiated tumors, and the tendency was statistically significant. But differentiation and tumor size did not show significant correlation. Also statistically significant correlations were not observed between the level of alpha-fetoprotein and tumor size, and between the level of alpha-fetoprotein and differentiation.