Dysplastic Nodules and Small Primary Carcinoma of the Liver: A Study Detecting the early Morphological Changes during Hepatocarcinogenesis
Pattana Sornmayura MD*, Paisan Boonsakan MD*, Abhasnee Sobhonslidsuk MD**, Suthus Sriphojanart MD***, Chakrapan Euanorasetr MD***, Sukhum Bunyaratvej MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University ** Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University *** Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University
Objective : Detect the early histological changes relating to human hepatocarcinogenesis in three nodular
hepatocellular lesions
Materials and Methods : Three cases of dysplastic nodules and one of small hepatocellular carcinoma were
obtained from the authors’ surgical-pathology file during 2000-2005 for a histopathological study in rel-
evance to the early changes during hepatocarcinogenesis by employing hematoxylin and eosin stain, as well
as some immunohistochemical staining.
Results : One nodular hepatocellular lesion, diagnosed as a complex lesion of focal nodular hyperplasia
contained a microscopic focus (1.5 mm in diameter) of combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma.
Conclusion : The small dysplastic hepatocytes subjected to neoplastic transformation combined hepatocellu-
lar and cholangiocarcinoma and are the precursorial cells of hepatocellular carcinoma. Chronic viral hepa-
titis B or C, aflatoxin B1 and nitrosamine(s), as well as some nodular hepatocellular lesions share distinct
roles in the complex process of hepatocarcinogenesis pertaining to this Southeast Asian country.
Keywords : Liver cell dysplasia, Small dysplastic hepatocyte, Nodular hepatocellular lesion, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma
