[Clinicopathological evaluation of angiograms in hepatocellular carcinoma]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was classified into the three types of expansive type "Exp", mixed type "Mix" and infiltrative type "Inf" according to the preoperative angiographic characteristics, referred to clinicopathological features. "Exp" type had less incidence of accompanied portal venous invasion and daughter nodules in comparison to "Inf" type. And "Exp" type had a better prognosis in the cumulative survival rate than "Inf" type (p less than 0.001). Thus, the present typing essentially classified by tumor vascular architecture represents "malignancy grade" of HCC. In addition, "Inf" type may be recommended more extensive resection or multidisciplinary therapy (for example TAE) for better prognosis.