Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 19, 2025

A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
12:24

A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Published on: September 30, 2021

5.5K

Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Does the Background Liver With or Without Cirrhosis Matter?

Anisha Jain1, Benjamin Mazer1, Yanhong Deng2

  • 1Department of Pathology, New Haven, CT, USA.

American Journal of Clinical Pathology
|September 20, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in noncirrhotic livers is larger, more aggressive, and associated with different risk factors like hepatitis B compared to HCC in cirrhotic livers. These findings highlight distinct oncogenic pathways in noncirrhotic HCC.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Oncology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer with varying etiologies.
  • The clinicopathologic differences between HCC arising in noncirrhotic versus cirrhotic livers remain underexplored.
  • Understanding these differences is crucial for accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare the pathologic and demographic differences of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in noncirrhotic versus cirrhotic liver backgrounds.
  • To identify distinct features and risk factors associated with HCC in these two distinct liver conditions.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective analysis of 378 HCC cases diagnosed between 2010 and 2017 was conducted.
  • Cases were categorized based on the presence (283 cases) or absence (95 cases) of liver cirrhosis.
  • Demographic data, histologic patterns, tumor grade, stage, and vascular invasion were compared between the two groups.

Main Results:

  • HCC in noncirrhotic livers was significantly larger, showed a higher frequency of macrotrabecular patterns, fibrolamellar, macrotrabecular-massive, and clear cell subtypes.
  • Patients with noncirrhotic HCC were more likely to have hepatitis B or no known liver disease, whereas hepatitis C was more prevalent in cirrhotic HCC.
  • Tumors in noncirrhotic livers exhibited higher histologic grade, more anaplastic cells, increased vascular invasion, and advanced tumor stage.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma in noncirrhotic livers presents with distinct aggressive features, including larger size, specific histologic subtypes, and higher rates of vascular invasion and advanced stage.
  • The underlying etiologies differ, with hepatitis B and unknown liver disease being more common in noncirrhotic HCC, contrasting with hepatitis C in cirrhotic HCC.
  • Further research into the unique oncogenic pathways driving HCC in noncirrhotic livers is warranted to improve understanding and management of this disease.
Abstract

Keywords:
CirrhosisHepatocellular carcinomaNoncirrhosisSubtype

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Investigating Immune Cell Dynamics in the Tumor Microenvironment — Challenges and Innovations in Cancer Prognosis07:32

Author Spotlight: Investigating Immune Cell Dynamics in the Tumor Microenvironment — Challenges and Innovations in Cancer Prognosis

Published on: April 12, 2024

1.6K
Mass Cytometry Analysis of Systemic and Local Immune Responses in Hepatocellular Carcinoma08:25

Mass Cytometry Analysis of Systemic and Local Immune Responses in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Published on: April 25, 2025

380

Related Concept Videos

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow01:26

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow

Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug...
27
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess...
28
Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder01:26

Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder

Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...
1.4K
Liver Regeneration01:24

Liver Regeneration

The liver is an important organ in vertebrates that plays an essential role in metabolism. It is also responsible for storing and redistributing nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins in the body. Additionally, the liver releases bile salts which are critical for digesting food and eliminating toxic metabolites from the body.
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are...
3.5K
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment01:08

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment

Hepatic impairment, characterized by decreased liver function, does not uniformly mandate adjustments in drug dosage. Whether dosage modifications are necessary depends on various factors related to the drug's metabolism and elimination pathways. If a drug is primarily excreted via the kidneys and bypasses significant hepatic processing, if it undergoes minimal metabolic transformation in the liver, or if it is volatile and primarily expelled through the lungs, dose adjustments may not be...
31
Hepatic Drug Excretion: Influencing Factors01:16

Hepatic Drug Excretion: Influencing Factors

The biliary system of the liver, crucial for bile secretion and drug excretion, comprises intrahepatic bile ducts that merge to form the common hepatic duct. This duct, carrying hepatic bile, combines with the cystic duct, draining the gallbladder and forming the common bile duct, which empties into the duodenum. Bile, produced by hepatic cells lining the bile canaliculi, is composed primarily of water, bile salts, pigments, electrolytes, and lesser amounts of cholesterol and fatty acids. Bile...
282