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Non-Asian hepatocellular carcinoma: correlation between histologic features and echogenicity
R H Wachsberg1, K M Klein, S Von Hagen
1Department of Radiology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, USA.
Summary
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) echogenicity in non-Asian patients does not correlate with histologic features seen in Asian HCC. This study found no link between lesion echogenicity and necrosis, hemorrhage, or fibrosis in non-Asian HCC.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Medical Imaging
- Oncology
Background:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer with distinct Asian and non-Asian forms.
- Asian HCC studies linked lesion hyperechogenicity to specific histologic features: necrosis, sinusoidal dilatation, hemorrhage, fatty metamorphosis, and fibrosis.
- These correlations have not been validated for non-Asian HCC.
Observation:
- A retrospective review examined 29 non-Asian HCC patients at a US institution.
- Lesion echogenicity (hyperechoic or hypoechoic) was assessed.
- Histologic features (necrosis, sinusoidal dilatation, hemorrhage, fatty metamorphosis, fibrosis) were evaluated from surgical or percutaneous tissue specimens.
Findings:
- No statistically significant correlation was found between the number of identified histologic features and lesion hyperechogenicity (P = 0.11).
- A significant correlation existed between the number of histologic features and lesion diameter (P = 0.04).
- Hypoechoic lesions were observed in 50% of cases with three histologic features, 40% with two, and 55% with one.
Implications:
- The echogenicity of non-Asian HCC lesions is not explained by the same histologic factors as Asian HCC.
- This suggests differing underlying pathobiology between Asian and non-Asian hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Further research is needed to understand the determinants of echogenicity in non-Asian HCC, impacting diagnostic imaging.