Liver cell dysplasia and hepatocellular carcinoma: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Liver cell dysplasia (LCD) was found in 28 (60%) of 47 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); 22 (79%) of them had associated liver cirrhosis. LCD was more frequently observed in posthepatitic cirrhosis (82%) than in the other forms. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), as demonstrated by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method, were similarly expressed both in normal and in dysplastic cells. Hepatitis B surface antigen was found in eight cases (17%), six of which were associated with LCD. HBsAg was rarely found in dysplastic cells and frequently displayed a peculiar perinuclear pattern. The possible preneoplastic role of LCD is stressed.