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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published on: September 30, 2021
Epidemiology and outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma in Lombardy
M Borzio1, G Colloredo, P Pioltelli
1Department of Medicine, Liver Unit, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Milan, Italy. maborzio@interfree.it
Background And Aims:
Information on the impact of therapeutic strategies of hepatocellular carcinoma is still incomplete due to the lack of surveys involving primary-care centres.
Patients And Methods:
The Gruppo Epatologico Lombardo (GEL) carried out a study on 361 incident hepatocellular carcinoma observed from January to December 1998 in 22 hospitals in Lombardy. The clinical, pathological and therapeutic data were collected from all patients; 5-year survival and factors related to outcome were analysed.
Results:
Two hundred and ninety-seven patients were male (M/F: 4.6/1, mean age 66); 61% were HCV-pos, 15% HBV-pos, 17% alcoholic. Cirrhosis was present in 333 (92%) and was classified as Child-A in 197 (59%), Child-B in 85 (26%) and Child-C in 51 (15%) cases. Hepatocellular carcinoma was multifocal/diffuse (more than three nodules) in 91 (25%), less than three nodules in 86 (24%) and monofocal in 184 (51%) (
Conclusion:
This prospective, region-wide, cohort study showed that the characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma in Lombardy (1998) do not differ from those reported in previous Italian surveys. Although most hepatocellular carcinomas were discovered at a relatively early stage, a large part remained untreated and the overall prognosis was poor. Efforts are warranted to implement screening-surveillance programmes and the impact of therapeutic strategies.
