Main Characteristics of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cirrhosis and Therapeutic Approaches

S.      Elba; G.   P.   Buongiorno; M.   L.   Caruso; M.   R.   Noviello; O.   G.   Manghisi

doi:10.2174/1381612024607027

Abstract

Between 1995 and 1997 we studied 100 patients with hepatocarcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis. Of these 74 were males and 26 females with a mean age of 66 years. 13% patients were only HbsAg positive, 75% only anti-HCV positive, 6% HbsAg and anti-HCV and the etiology in 6% of cases was alcoholic. Alpha-foetoprotein was > 400ng / ml in only 18% of cases and portal thrombosis was present in 12%. Mononodular HCC was observed in 63% of cases (small HCC in only 38%) and in 79% was localized to the right lobe. Of the mononodular types, 70% were shown by echography to be hypoechoic, 6% hysoechoic, 6% hyperechoic and 17% mixed patterns. Histologically, 49% were well-differentiated, 45% moderately-differentiated and 6% poorly-differentiated. No correlation was found between histologic pattern and number of nodules. Welldifferentiated HCC was found in 51% of mononodular types and in 46% of multinodular types. Moderatelydifferentiated HCC was detected in 46% and 43% respectively and poorly-differentiated HCC in 3% and 11% respectively. No correlation was found between number of nodules and the degree of Edmonson.

Keywords: cirrhosis, hepatocarcinoma, absag, alpha, foetoprotein, portal, thrombosis, nodular hcc, echoic