[Immunohistochemical studies on epidermal growth factor receptor in hepatocellular carcinoma]

Localization of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in hepatocellular carcinoma was examined by means of immunohistochemistry. It's localization was observed at plasma membrane of the cancer cells. EGFR was found to be expressed in 7 out of 17 hepatocellular carcinoma. No significant difference was observed between EGFR-positive and EGFR-negative cases in tumor size. AFP, macroscopic and histopathological classification, capsular invasion, and portal invasion. However, in EGFR-positive cases, the number of DNA polymerase-alpha positive cells and recurrence rate were higher than that in EGFR-negative cases. These results suggest that EGFR may play an important role in the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.