Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2026

An Oncogenic Hepatocyte-Induced Orthotopic Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Cancer Arising in the Setting of Hepatic Inflammation and Fibrosis
Published on: September 12, 2019
Thrombopoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma
Tomiko Ryu1, Satoshi Nishimura, Hideaki Miura
1Department of Internal Medicine, Social Insurance Chuo General Hospital, Tokyo.
A 66-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) showed marked thrombocytosis (110.7 x 10(4)/microl). Bone marrow (BM) aspirates demonstrated an increase of mature megakaryocytes (MgK). The serum thrombopoietin (TPO) level was increased to about 100-fold that of the normal level in the terminal stage. However, the platelet count gradually decreased to 13.5 x 10(4)/microl. The autopsy specimen revealed normoplastic BM with decreased MgK, mainly consisting of the immature type, and it was negative for tumor cells. Liver specimen showed markedly fatty metamorphosis. Immunohistochemical staining of TPO demonstrated that hepatocytes were weakly stained and HCC cells strongly stained, suggesting TPO-producing HCC.
A 66-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) showed marked thrombocytosis (110.7 x 10(4)/microl). Bone marrow (BM) aspirates demonstrated an increase of mature megakaryocytes (MgK). The serum thrombopoietin (TPO) level was increased to about 100-fold that of the normal level in the terminal stage. However, the platelet count gradually decreased to 13.5 x 10(4)/microl. The autopsy specimen revealed normoplastic BM with decreased MgK, mainly consisting of the immature type, and it was negative for tumor cells. Liver specimen showed markedly fatty metamorphosis. Immunohistochemical staining of TPO demonstrated that hepatocytes were weakly stained and HCC cells strongly stained, suggesting TPO-producing HCC.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology
Liver Regeneration
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are large...
Hepatitis
Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...

