Hepatocellular carcinoma overview
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Hepatocellular carcinoma Microchapters |
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Differentiating Hepatocellular carcinoma from other Diseases |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Hepatocellular carcinoma overview On the Web |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Hepatocellular carcinoma overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohamad Alkateb, MBBCh [2]
Overview
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, also called hepatoma) is a primary malignancy (cancer) of the liver. The majority of hepaticellular carcinoma cases are due to either a viral hepatitide infection (hepatitis B or C) or cirrhosis (alcoholism being the most common cause of hepatic cirrhosis).[1] In countries where hepatitis is not endemic, most malignant cancers in the liver are not primary hepatocellular carcinoma and the majority of cases aremetastasis from other part of the body, e.g. the colon. Treatment options of hepatocellular carcinoma and prognosis are dependent on many factors, especially on tumor size and staging.
In non western countries, the usual outcome is poor, because only 10 - 20% of hepatocellular carcinomas can be removed completely using surgery. If the cancer cannot be completely removed, the disease is usually deadly within 3 to 6 months [3]. This is partially due to late presentation with large tumours, but also due to the lack of medical expertise and facilities. This is a rare tumor in the United States.
Historical Perspective
Hepatocellular carcinoma was first noted to be associated with hepatitis B infection in 1970.[2]
Pathophysiology
On microscopic histopathological analysis, large polygonal tumours cells with graunular eosinophilic cytoplasm or layered dense collagen bundles are characteristic findings of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Causes
Common causes of hepatocellular carcinoma include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, alcoholic liver cirrhosis, hemochromatosis, and hepatic prophyrias.
Differentiating Hepatocellular Carcinoma from other Diseases
Hepatocellular carcinoma must be differentiated from other diseases that cause abdominal pain, jaundice, and weight loss, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis, and pancreatitis.
References
- ↑ Kumar V, Fausto N, Abbas A (editors) (2003). Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease (7th ed.). Saunders. pp. pp. 914&ndash, 7. ISBN 978-0-721-60187-8.
- ↑ Di Bisceglie AM (2009). "Hepatitis B and hepatocellular carcinoma". Hepatology. 49 (5 Suppl): S56–60. doi:10.1002/hep.22962. PMC 3047495. PMID 19399807.